Page:Thoughts on a French invasion.pdf/7

 selves, without firing a shot, into the enemy's trenches, dispersed the troops that guarded them, and after being in possession of them two hours, and completely destroying the works, returned in perfect order to the town, without the enemy daring to harrass them? Where, at the capture of Martinique, and before the little army of Sir Charles Grey? Where, in the East Indies, when the enemy was stripped of every foot of land they held there? Strange and fatal delusion! that in Britain men should be found to magnify the courage of our enemies, and depreciate our own at the expence of truth.

Having touched upon the advantages the French derived in their progress on the Continent from the people of the country, and leaving the full consideration of the subject to abler pens, it is material to recollect, that the French art of war is calculated upon the reception which their troops have hitherto met with: aware of this, their rulers have given out that the British are a venal people, incapable of great exertions, dissatisfied with their government , and divided among themselves

It is in fact (however incredible to an English ear,) that they are taught to believe, that a division of twenty thousand men, once landed, is quite adequate f to the conquest of this country; for they calculate that, having once a footing in the island, such an army might advance where it pleased, and could easily be reinforced. That