On the first appearance of this dreadful and destructive calamity, the
parties more particularly and personally engaged, are animated with an
enthusiastic ardour, to have an opportunity of signalizing themselves in
it. It is then that the impetuosity of youth, the fervour, the
experience, the sapience, of old age, are called forth in open field, to
put in force the discussions of the cabinet, and to engage with real
zeal in the cause of their country; it is then that every manly breast
feels a warlike impulse thrilling the whole frame! The sound of drums,
the roaring of cannon, the clangor of every species of martial music,
rise figuratively within us: it is then that we should
“Set the teeth, and stretch the nostrils wide,
Hold hard the breath, and bend up ev’ry spirit
To it’s full height.”