Exeter.
I send the following extracts from the newspapers respecting Wolfe,
scarcely knowing whether it may be worth while. Such as they are, they
are at your service:--
"Hoc ultimum opus virtutis edens in victoria coesus."
"To the highest military merit undoubtedly belongs the highest
applause, but setting aside the froth of panegyrick--
"Who formed the 20th regt. of foot, exemplary in the field of
Minden, only by practising what was familiar to them?
"Who at Rochefort offered to make a good landing, not asking how
many were the French, but where are they?
"Who, second then in command, was second to none in those
laborious dangers which reduced Louisburgh?
"Who wrote like Cæsar from before Quebec?
"Who, like Epaminondas, died in victory?
"Who never gave his country cause of complaint except by his
death?
"Who bequeathed Canada as a triumphant legacy?
"Proclaim, 'twas WOLFE!"--_Newcastle Courant_, Oct. 27, 1759.
"The late brave General Wolfe was to have been married on his
return to England to a sister of Sir James Lowther, a young lady
whose immense fortune is her least recommendation. She had shown
so much uneasiness at the thoughts of his making his campaign in
America, that nothing but the call of honour could have prevailed
with him to accept of that command in the discharge of which he
fell so gloriously."--_N. C. Journal_, 1759.
"His mother is, we hear, so much afflicted for the loss of her son
that 'tis feared she will never get the better of her disorders.
The inhabitants in her neighbourhood sympathised with her so much
that they did not make any public rejoicings, lest it should add
to her grief. Even the mob of London discovered by their behaviour
the night of the illuminations for the victory, what they felt for
so brave a man.
"_They_ mourn Quebec; for Wolfe _our_ sorrows flow;
Victors and vanquish'd felt the twofold blow.
To both perpetual let each loss remain;
If Quebec be restored, Wolfe fell in vain."
_Newcastle paper_, 1759.