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or Russia. Instead of being astonished or ashamed that our armies take so long in executing (most imperfectly as now appears) a job the small size of which was plainly recognized at the outset, and of visiting the blame upon the Government or the generals, the mind of the people is swollen with a genuine pride at our achievement, which seems quite capable of leading her, upon some slight provocation, into conflict with some strong Continental power. This exultation does not arise from any consideration of the real difficulties involved in such a campaign, conducted at so great a distance from the base, but is simply a savage burst of triumph such as carries men to all absurdities or enormities in an hour of victory.

This vainglory is even likely to lose us the gain which might issue from our disastrous experience. It is true that its presence does not prohibit a sense of uneasiness, which clamours for a radical reform of our military system and a great increase of our army and our navy – the logical contradiction involved in this demand does not cause any difficulty. But our childish self-esteem is such that the most instructive criticism of our conduct of the campaign, issuing, as it must, from Continental