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34 I too was favoured with a visit from the same regiment. But they found the closed gate and the loaded gun; and their attack was beaten off with considerable loss. Since then my military career has been tolerably active."

"And I not at your side!" said Robert, bitterly.

"Nay, my child," replied his father, in a sad and earnest tone; "never lament that you have had no part in civil war; it is terrible to be asked for quarter in your native tongue, and yet spare not. To know that the corn-field over which you hurry in pursuit of a flying enemy has been sown by your near neighbour—to see the sky redden at midnight, and fear lest the crimson blaze arise from your own home—to watch the desolation of familiar things—to become acquainted with waste and want, and worse, with the crime and recklessness, their inevitable consequences—and then remember how brief a period has elapsed since such things seemed impossible in the land."

"But must the blessing ever be bought by the curse? ls civil war, then, the fearful sacrifice demanded by liberty?"

"Not so," replied Sir Robert; "England's next struggle will be bloodless. We have left one great experience, that the struggle which is to