Page:Thoughts on a French invasion.pdf/8

 That twenty thousand men are not easily transported in the face of a superior navy, is admitted; but without having recourse to balloons, to diving bells, or even to monstrous rafts, fuch a number may perhaps be risked in boats or small vessels, if, as we most incontrovertibly know to be the cause, their lives weigh but as a feather in the estimation of their rulers.

Supposing, then, a column or division should escape our ships on passage, and not be destroyed by the naval power on the coast; before they could land, it is incumbent on every man in Britain to consider before hand what would he the consequence of their landing.

Wherever the landing may be affected, officers will no doubt be found who will give the best directions to the military force; but if individuals remain inactive at the spot, or if, in their haste to escape, they impede the military operations, they will in both cases assist the views of the enemy.

Before our armies are assembled, the first object with every man must be the driving away the cattle, the securing the horses, the carrying off the provisions of every kind for man and beast, if this be done, it is impossible the enemy can advance; nothing will be left him but to return to the sea from whence he came.

The women, the old men, the sick, and the helpless children, are to be taken care of; and every individual will no doubt assist in procuring them an asylum; but as to property of any kind, except provisions, it would impede every plan of attack or defence to pay attention to it.

Let any one reflect on the astonishment of the enemy, if, on entering a town or village, he found no living thing, nor any food in it.—He would stand appalled, and feel conquered from that moment!

So far from felting fire to the place, or plundering the valuables left there, he would dread being called to account for the mischief; and in so new and unprecedented a situation, would drive to purchase his pardon by forbearance.'

It may not.be obvious to every one, that an army cannot advance to any distance without horses. For twenty