Webbe's (the 48th) regiment with all speed down to the St. Charles's River, to cut off the retreat." His voice grew faint as he spoke, and he turned on his side, as if seeking an easier position. When he had given this last order his eyes closed in death.

17. One of the most momentous political questions that ever yet moved the human race was decided in this struggle. When English and French emigrants first landed among the Virginian and Canadian forests, it began; when the British flag was hoisted on the citadel of Quebec, it was decided. From that day the hand of Providence pointed out to the Anglo-Saxon race that to them was henceforth intrusted the destiny of the New World.

Quebec.-An important city in Canada, on the River St. Lawrence. St. Lawrence.-The largest river in Canada.

Wolfe.-The English general. He was killed in the battle at the early age of 33.

Flotilla.-A fleet of small vessels or gunboats.

Montcalm.-The French general, also killed in the Battle of Quebec at the age of 47.

Warburton.

Grenadier.-Soldiers of the first company of a regiment. They were mostly the tallest and strongest men. One of their duties was to throw grenades--a small shell filled with bullets and powder.

Grey's Elegy.-A beautiful poem written by the poet Grey.

Worsted. - Beaten.

Montcalm

had allowed himself to be surprised.

1. There was a sound of revelry by night,
And Belgium's capital had gathered then
Her beauty and her chivalry, and bright
The lamps shone o'er fair women and brave men :
A thousand hearts beat happily; and when
Music arose with its voluptuous swell,

Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again,
And all went merry as a marriage bell;

But hush! hark! a deep sound strikes like a rising knell.

2. Did ye not hear it?—No; 'twas but the wind, Or the car rattling o'er the stony street;

On with the dance! let joy be unconfined;

No sleep till morn, when youth and pleasure
meet,

To chase the glowing hours with flying feet :-
But hark! that heavy sound breaks in once more,
As if the clouds its echo would repeat;

And nearer, clearer, deadlier than before!

Arm! arm! it is—it is—the cannon's opening roar !

3. Within a windowed niche of that high hall

Sate Brunswick's fated chieftain: he did hear
That sound the first amidst the festival,
And caught its tone with death's prophetic ear;
And when they smiled because he deemed it near,

His heart more truly knew that peal too well
Which stretched his father on a bloody bier,

And roused the vengeance blood alone could quell: He rushed into the field, and foremost fighting fell.

4. Ah! then and there was hurrying to and fro,
And gathering tears, and tremblings of distress,
And cheeks all pale, which but an hour ago
D Blushed at the praise of their own loveliness;

And there were sudden partings, such as press
The life from out young hearts; and choking sighs
Which ne'er might be repeated; who could guess

If ever more should meet those mutual eyes?

Since upon night so sweet such awful morn could rise. 5. And there was mounting in hot haste: the steed, The mustering squadron, and the clattering car Went pouring forward with impetuous speed, And swiftly forming in the ranks of war; And the deep thunder, peal on peal afar; And near, the beat of the alarming drum Roused up the soldier ere the morning star; While thronged the citizens with terror dumb, Or whispering, with white lips-"The foe! They come ! they come!"

6. And wild and high the "Camerons' gathering" rose! The war-note of Lochiel, which Albyn's hills

Have heard and heard, too, have her Saxon foes.
How in the noon of night that pibroch thrills,
Savage and shrill! but with the breath which fills
Their mountain-pipe, so fill the mountaineers
With the fierce native daring which instils
The stirring memory of a thousand years :

And Evan's, Donald's fame, rings in each clansman's ears!
7. And Ardennes waves above them her green leaves,
Dewy with Nature's tear-drops, as they pass,
Grieving, if aught inanimate e'er grieves,
Over the unreturning brave-alas!

Ere evening to be trodden like the grass,

Which now beneath them, but above shall grow

In its next verdure, when this fiery mass

Of living valour, rolling on the foe,

And burning with high hope, shall moulder cold and low.