Page:Life of Her Majesty Queen Victoria (IA lifeofhermajesty01fawc).pdf/210

 thrilled with pride and thankfulness. The Duchess of Kent was with her daughter; the Queen writes that she was so delighted, "dear mamma could be present at this memorable and never-to-be-forgotten occasion." It was the last time they were together at any public ceremonial.

Lord Tennyson interpreted the national feeling by his song, "Riflemen, form!" and the lines

exactly describe the sentiments of most Englishmen towards Louis Napoleon. It was said that a foreigner expressed surprise at the military spirit displayed at one of these Volunteer reviews, and said he had understood that the English were a nation of shopkeepers. A jolly countryman replied, "So they are, Moosoo; and these are the boys that keep the shop!"

The Volunteer movement has proved no mere flash in the pan, caused by a sudden explosion of passing irritation. It has grown and strengthened, and now, after twenty-six years of existence, it adds more than 200,000 men to the internal defence of the country. The annual meeting of the National Rifle Association has furnished proof to the world that the Volunteer force contains a body of skilled marksmen, who, under able generalship, might turn the scale in many a battle.