Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 3.djvu/250

 22-i BATTLE OF THE ALMA. CIIA1 graces to the enemy. And it was no ignoble • pride that caused the battalion to maintain all this ceremonious exactness ; for although it be true that the precision of a line in peace - time is only a success in mechanics, the precision of a line on a hillside with the enemy close in front is at once the result and the proof of a steady warlike composure. And it ought to be borne in mind that what our troops were now undertaking in this part of the field was — not to swell the tide of a victory, but — to try to retri<jve misfortunes. Temper of Happily, it is then, just then, after a discom- soMiery fiture sustaiucd in their front, that English sol- after a dicry advancing m support oiten give superb proof of their quality ; for by nature they are so constituted, that the ill fortune of their comrades does not commonly affect them with feelings of discouragement, but, on the contrary, is apt to heat their blood by rousing an emotion like anger ; and, when they have thus been wrought upon, they are sterner men for a foe to have to do with than they are when all has gone well. The extreme left of the Coldstream was nearly in the centre of the troops which the Duke of Cambridge commanded, and with this battalion, accordingly. His Royal Highness was present in person. With it, also, there was a visitor, whose presence showed the strength of the tie between the officer and his regiment. Colonel Steele had broken loose from his duty at Headquarters, and was riding with his own beloved 'Coldstream.' *
 * He was military secretary to Lord Ilaglan.