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nature had ordained that so throughout time it should be。
That privates should obey； and that they should be smartly punished
if they disobey； this one can understand very well。 But to say
obey for ever and everto say that Private John Styles is； by some
physical disproportion； hopelessly inferior to Cornet Snooksto
say that Snooks shall have honors； epaulets； and a marble tablet
if he dies； and that Styles shall fight his fight； and have his
twopence a day； and when shot down shall be shovelled into a hole
with other Styleses； and so forgotten； and to think that we had in
the course of the last war some 400；000 of these Styleses； and some
10；000； say； of the Snooks sortStyles being by nature exactly as
honest； clever； and brave as Snooksand to think that the 400；000
should bear this； is the wonder！
Suppose Snooks makes a speech。 〃Look at these Frenchmen； British
soldiers；〃 says he； 〃and remember who they are。 Two…and…twenty
years since they hurled their King from his throne and murdered
him〃 （groans）。 〃They flung out of their country their ancient and
famous nobilitythey published the audacious doctrine of equality
they made a cadet of artillery； a beggarly lawyer's son； into an
Emperor； and took ignoramuses from the ranksdrummers and
privates； by Jove！of whom they made kings； generals； and
marshals！ Is this to be borne？〃 （Cries of 〃No！ no！〃） 〃Upon them；
my boys！ down with these godless revolutionists； and rally round
the British lion！〃
So saying； Ensign Snooks （whose flag； which he can't carry； is held
by a huge grizzly color…sergeant；） draws a little sword； and pipes
out a feeble huzza。 The men of his company； roaring curses at the
Frenchmen； prepare to receive and repel a thundering charge of
French cuirassiers。 The men fight； and Snooks is knighted because
the men fought so well。
But live or die； win or lose； what do THEY get？ English glory is
too genteel to meddle with those humble fellows。 She does not
condescend to ask the names of the poor devils whom she kills in
her service。 Why was not every private man's name written upon the
stones in Waterloo Church as well as every officer's？ Five hundred
pounds to the stone…cutters would have served to carve the whole
catalogue； and paid the poor compliment of recognition to men who
died in doing their duty。 If the officers deserved a stone； the
men did。 But come； let us away and drop a tear over the Marquis of
Anglesea's leg！
As for Waterloo； has it not been talked of enough after dinner？
Here are some oats that were plucked before Hougoumont； where grow
not only oats； but flourishing crops of grape…shot； bayonets； and
legion…of…honor crosses； in amazing profusion。
Well； though I made a vow not to talk about Waterloo either here or
after dinner； there is one little secret admission that one must
make after seeing it。 Let an Englishman go and see that field； and
he NEVER FORGETS IT。 The sight is an event in his life； and；
though it has been seen by millions of peaceable GENTSgrocers
from Bond Street； meek attorneys from Chancery Lane； and timid
tailors from PiccadillyI will wager that there is not one of them
but feels a glow as he looks at the place； and remembers that he；
too； is an Englishman。
It is a wrong； egotistical； savage； unchristian feeling； and that's
the truth of it。 A man of peace has no right to be dazzled by that
red…coated glory； and to intoxicate his vanity with those
remembrances of carnage and triumph。 The same sentence which tells
us that on earth there ought to be peace and good…will amongst men；
tells us to whom GLORY belongs。
End