25. Meantime the French had given way, and were flying in all directions. A grenadier officer seeing this, called out to those around him, “See! they run !” The words caught the ear of the dying man. He raised himself, like one aroused from sleep, and asked eagerly, " Who run ?” “The enemy, sir,” answered the officer ; "they give way everywhere.” “Go, one of you, to Colonel Burton,” said Wolfe : “tell him to march Webbe's (the 48th) regiment with all speed down to the St. Charles 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. 26. When the news reached England, triumph and lamentation were strangely intermingled. Astonishment and admiration at the splendid victory, with sorrow for the loss of the gallant victor, filled every breast. Throughout all the land were illuminations and public rejoicings, except in the little Kentish village of Westerham, where Wolfe had been born, and where bis widowed mother now mourned her only child. 27. Wolfe's body was embalmed, and borne to the river for conveyance to England. The army escorted it in solemn state to the beach. They mourned their young general's death as sincerely as they had followed him in battle bravely. His remains were landed at Plymouth with the highest honours : minute-guns were fired, flags were hoisted half-mast high, and an escort with arms reversed received the coffin on the shore. They were then conveyed to Greenwich, and buried beside those of his father, who had died but a few months before. 28. After further successes of the British in other parts of Canada, under Generals Amherst, Haviland, and Sir William Johnson, the French cause became utterly hopeless. On the 8th of September 1760, a British force of 16,000 men assembled before Montreal ; and on the same day a capitulation 18 was signed wbich severed Canada from France for ever. 29. One of the most momentous political questions that have ever moved the human race was decided in this struggle. When a few Eng a lish 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 Providence pointed out to the Anglo-Saxon race that to them was henceforth intrusted the destiny of the New World. NOTES. 1 French Dominion in Canada ex. by Pitt for the command of the tended from the founding of expedition against Quebec, m Quebec, by Champlain, in 1608, which he was killed, 1759. till the fall of Quebec, in 1759. 6 Extraordinary, uncommon. 2 Romance, fiction. 7 Decisive, final. 3 Unparalleled, unequalled. 8. Imperilled, endangered. 4 Montcalm (Louis Joseph), Marquis 9 Unchallenged, unquestioned. de Montcalm, was born in 1712. 10 Intensity, strained feeling. He field-marshal of the 11 Unconscious, unaware. French army in Canada from 12 Qui vive? “Who goes there?” 1756 till 1759. 13 Assailants, enemies. 5 Wolfe (James), was a native of 14 Alacrity, liveliness. Westerham, in Kent, and was 15 Incredible, scarcely to be believed. born in 1726. He served with 16 Incessant, without stopping. distinction in several engage- 17 Sustained, bore. ments in Europe, and was selected 18 Capitulation, surrender. was SATAN'S ADDRESS TO THE SUN. 5 3 From Milton's PARADISE Lost, Book IV. O thou, that, with surpassing glory crowned, Look’st from thy sole dominion like the god Of this new world! at whose sightall the stars Hide their diminished head; to thee I call, But with no friendly voice, and add thy name, 5 O Sun! to tell thee how I hate thy beams, That bring to my remembrance from what state I fell,—how glorious once above thy sphere, Till pride, and, worse,ambition threw me down. Warring in Heaven against Heaven's matchless King! and him thanks, How due! Yet all his good proved ill in me, And wrought but malice : lifted up so high, I'sdained subjection, and thought one step higher Would set me highest, and in a moment quit 20 The debt immense of endless gratitude, So burdensome ; still paying still to owe,Forgetful what from him I still received; And understood not that a grateful mind By owing owes not, but still pays, at once 25 5 35 Indebted and discharged: what burden then ? mean, stand ? Thou hadst: whom hast thou then or what to accuse, But Heaven's free love dealt equally to all ? Be then his love accursed ! since love or hate, To me alike it deals' eternal woe. Nay, cursed be thou! since, against this thy will, 40 Chose freely what it now so justly rues. Me miserable! which ways shall I fly Infinite wrath, and infinite despair ? Which way I fly is Hell; myself am Hell ; And in the lowest deep a lower deep 45 Still threatening to devour me opens wide, To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heaven. 0 then, at last relent: is there no place Left for repentance ? None for pardon left ? None left but by submission; and that word Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame , 50 55 60 11 The Omnipotent. Ah me! they little know I unsay What feigned" submission swore! Ease would recant 65 Vows made in pain, as violent and void. For never can true reconcilement" grow Where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep; Which would but lead me to a worse relapse And heavier fall : so should I purchase dear Short intermission, bought with double smart. This knows my Punisher ; therefore as far From granting He, as I from begging peace. All hope excluded thus; behold, instead Of us outcast, exiled, his new delight,Mankind created, and for him this world. So farewell, hope! and with hope, farewell, fear! Farewell, remorse ! all good to me is lost; Evil, be thou my good! by thee?? at least Divided empire with Heaven's King I hold, — 80 By thee, and more than half perhaps will reign;As man ere long, and this new world, shall know. 70 75 12 |