lower town lies between the river and a bold and lofty eminence, which runs parallel to it, far westward. At the top of this eminence is a plain, upon which the upper town is situated. Below, or east of the city, is the river St. Charles, the channel of which is rough, and its banks are steep and broken. A short distance further down is the river Montmorency. Between these two rivers, and reaching from one to the other, was encamped the French army, strongly entrenched, and at least equal in number to that of the English. General Wolfe took possession of Point Levi on the bank of the river opposite Quebec, and from that position cannonaded the town. Some injury was done to the houses, but his cannon were too far distant to make any impression upon the works of the enemy. He resolved to quit this post, to land below Montmorency, and, passing that river, to attack the French General in his entrenchments. He succeeded in landing his troops, and with a portion of his army crossed the Montmorency. A partial engagement took place, in which the French obtained the advantage. Relinquishing this plan, he then determined, in concert with the Admiral, to destroy the French shipping and magazines. Two attempts were unsuccessful; a third was more fortunate; yet, but little was effected. At this juncture, intelligence arrived, that Niagara was taken, that Ticonderoga and Crown Point had been abandoned, but that General Amherst, instead of pressing forward to their assistance, was preparing to attack the Isle-aux-Noix.

"Wolfe rejoiced at the triumph of his brethren in arms, but could not avoid contrasting their success with his own ill-fortune. His mind, alike lofty and susceptible, was deeply impressed by the disasters at Montmorency; and the extreme chagrin of his spirits, preying upon his delicate frame, sensibly affected his

health. He was observed frequently to sigh; and as if life was only valuable while it added to his glory, he declared to his intimate friends, that he would not survive the disgrace which he imagined would attend the failure of his enterprise. Despairing of success below the town, he next directed his efforts towards effecting a landing above it. He removed a part of his army to Point Levi, and the remainder higher up the river. He now found that on this quarter the fortifications were not strong; and discovered that the heights behind them might possibly be gained, by ascending the precipice in a narrow path, which was defended only by a captain's guard. The diffi culties attending this enterprise were numerous. The current was rapid, the shore shelving, the only landingplace so narrow that it might easily be missed in the dark, and the steep above, such as troops, even when unopposed, could not ascend without difficulty. Yet the plan, though bold and hazardous, was well adapted to the desperate situation of affairs, and was determined on. To conceal their intention, the Admiral retired several leagues up the river. During the evening, a strong detachment was put on board the boats, and moved silently down with the tide to the place of landing, where they arrived an hour before day-break. Wolfe leaped on shore, was followed by the troops, and all instantly began, with the assistance of shrubs and projecting rocks, to climb up the precipice. The guard was dispersed, and by the break of day, the whole army gained the heights of Abraham, where the different corps were formed under their respective leaders.

“Montcalm, at first, could not believe that the English had ascended the heights. When convinced of the fact, he comprehended the full advantage they had gained. He saw that a battle was inevitable, and prepared for it with promptness and courage.

Leaving his camp at Montmorency, he advanced towards the English army, which was formed in order of battle to receive him. The French advanced briskly. The English reserved their fire until the enemy were near, and then gave it with decisive effect. Early in the engagement, Wolfe was wounded in the wrist; but, preserving his composure, he continued to encourage his troops. Soon after, he received a shot in the groin. This painful wound he also concealed, placed himself at the head of the grenadiers, and was leading them to charge, when he received a third and mortal wound. Undismayed by the fall of their General, the English continued their exertions under Monckton, who, in a short time, was himself wounded, and the command devolved upon Townshend. About the same time, Montcalm received a mortal wound, and the second in command also fell. The left wing and centre of the French gave way.

Part were driven into Quebec, and part over the river St. Charles.

"On receiving his mortal wound, Wolfe was conveyed into the rear, where, careless about himself, he discovered, in the agonies of death, the most anxious solicitude concerning the fate of the day. From extreme faintness, he had reclined his head on the arm of an officer, but was soon aroused by the cry of, "They fly, they fly!' 'Who fly?' exclaimed the dying hero. The French,' answered his attendant. Then,' said he, I die contented;' and immediately expired.*

"Five days after the battle, the city surrendered, and received an English garrison. The French concentrated their remaining forces at Montreal, and

"They have fallen,

Each in his field of glory; one in arms,
And one in council; Wolfe upon the lap
Of smiling victory that moment won,

And Chatham heart-sick of his country's shame."-Cowper.

early in the spring, made attempts to regain possession of Quebec. Unsuccessful in these, they returned to Montreal, towards which the whole British force in America, under the command of General Amherst, was approaching. This force was too strong to be resisted. In September 1760, that city surrendered; and soon afterwards, all the French posts in Canada fell into the power of the English. In the other parts of the world, their arms were equally successful; and at the commencement of 1763, a peace highly advantageous to their interests was concluded at Paris.* By the treaty, France ceded to Great Britain all her northern settlements in America, which relieved the colonies from the continual dread of savage incursions."†

In this brilliant contest, England had made unprecedented exertions; and at its close, though she had added extensive territories to her empire, it was at the cost of a proportionate increase of the public burthens. To find the means of defraying the annual charges of the augmented debt, was the first object of the Government; and their views were naturally directed to the Colonies, as the source whence assistance might be derived. In the beginning of the year 1764,

* After the fall of Ginjee, in April 1761, the French had not a single military post left in India; and the French East India Company was dissolved not long afterwards. In the space

of seven years, Great Britain had made herself mistress of all North America; had conquered twenty-five islands; had won, by sea and land, twelve great battles; had reduced nine fortified cities or towns, and nearly forty forts; had destroyed or taken above a hundred ships of war, and acquired, as was supposed, about 12,000,000l. of plunder. By the treaty of peace in 1763, she received Florida in exchange for the Havanna (captured from Spain), and retained Canada, Cape Breton, Tobago, Dominica, St. Vincent, and Senegal in Africa. To these events, Cowper's well-known line refers:

"Once Chatham saved thee; but who saves thee next?"
Hale, pp. 186-190.

the first step was taken by the British Legislature towards subjecting the Colonies to a system of taxation, by passing a law imposing duties upon certain articles of merchandise, to be paid in the colonial ports. Notice was also given by Mr. Grenville, the prime minister, of his intention to bring in a bill the next session, for imposing stamp duties. The intelligence of these proceedings excited in America universal alarm; and in the respectful but decided remonstrances which were transmitted to England from several of the Colonies, (particularly Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia,) the right of the British Legislature to tax the chartered Colonies was explicitly denied. In March 1765, the fatal Stamp Act was brought forward by the British minister, and passed; but the attempt to enforce it was met with so general and determined a resistance, that the stamp-officers in all the Colonies were compelled to resign. Non-importation agreements were generally adopted; and, to

"It is my opinion," said the first William Pitt, in his speech on the repeal of the Stamp Act," that England has no right to tax the colonies. At the same time, I assert the authority of this kingdom over the colonies to be sovereign and supreme in every circumstance of government and legislation whatsoever. Taxation is no part of the governing or legislative power. The taxes are a voluntary gift and grant of the Commons alone. When, therefore, in this house, we give and grant, we give and grant what is our own. But, in an American tax, what do we do? We, your Majesty's Commons of Great Britain, give and grant to your Majesty-what? Our own property? No. We give and grant to your Majesty the property of your Commons in America. It is an absurdity in terms." Burke, in his memorable speech on Conciliation with the Colonies, waived the discussion of the right of taxation-whether necessarily involved in the general principle of legislation, or a power excepted from the general trust of government; contenting himself with pleading for the equity and policy of a taxation by grant, not by imposition, and appealing to experience in proof of the futility of parliamentary taxation as a method of supply.-See Burke's Speeches, vol. i. pp. 303-315.