Page:The invasion of the Crimea vol. 2.djvu/196

 IGG TRANSACTIONS CHAP. General said, and of what he wrote — of his XII ^ manner of oommancling men, and his way of maintaining an alliance ; if I show liow he dealt with armies in the hour of battle, and how he comported himself in times of heavy trial, — his true nature, with its strength and with its human failings, will be so far brought to light that I may be dispensed from the need of striving to portray it ; and, contenting myself with speaking of some of the mere outward and visible signs which showed upon the surface, may leave it to his countrymen to ascend, by the knowledge of what he did, to the knowledge of what he was. Where I think Lord Raglan's measures were right, I suppose I sliall allow my belief to appear ; and where I tliink they were wrong, I shall be likely to speak with an equal freedom : but it is not for me, who am no soldier, to undertake to compute the great account between the English people and a General wlio commanded their Queen's army in the field. Still, it must be remembered that the less T take upon myself in this regard, the graver will be the task of those who read. When the countrymen of Lord Raglan shall believe that they have in their hands sufficing means of know- ledge, they will pass judgment, — not, as I should, with the slender authority of a single bystander, but with the weight of an honest nation, in time of calm, judging (iinily, yet not ungenerously, the career of a public servant. Lord Fitzroy Somerset, afterwards I^rd Raglan, was a vounger son of the fifth l^iiko of Beaufort,