hocking
outrages, but by their origin they are certainly to be counted amongst
the noblest feelings which belong to human nature, and in War they are
the vivifying principle which gives the enormous body a spirit. Although
other feelings may be more general in their influence, and many of
them--such as love of country, fanaticism, revenge, enthusiasm of every
kind--may seem to stand higher, the thirst for honour and renown still
remains indispensable. Those other feelings may rouse the great masses
in general, and excite them more powerfully, but they do not give
the Leader a desire to will more than others, which is an essential
requisite in his position if he is to make himself distinguished in it.
They do not, like a thirst for honour, make the military act specially
the property of the Leader, which he strives to turn to the best
account; where he ploughs with toil, sows with care, that he may reap
plentifully. It is through these aspirations we have been speaking of
in Commanders, from the highest to the lowest, this sort of energy,
this spirit of emulation, these incentives, that the action of armies is
chiefly animated and made successful. And now as to that which specially
concerns the head of all, we ask, Has there ever been a great
Commander destitute of the love of honour, or is such a character even
conceivable?

FIRMNESS denotes the resistance of the will in relation to the force of
a single blow, STAUNCHNESS in relation to a continuance of blows. Close
as is the analogy between the two, and often as the one is used in place
of the other, still there is a notable difference between them which
cannot be mistaken, inasmuch as firmness against a single powerful
impression may have its root in the mere strength of a feeling, but
staunchness must be supported rather by the understanding, for the
greater the duration of an action the more systematic deliberation is
connected with it, and from this staunchness partly derives its power.

If we now turn to STRENGTH OF MIND OR SOUL, then the first question is,
What are we to understand thereby?

Plainly it is not vehement expressions of feeling, nor easily excited
passions, for that would be contrary to all the usage of language,
but the power of listening to reason in the midst of the most intense
excitement, in the storm of the most violent passions. Should this power
depend on strength of understanding alone? We doubt it. The fact that
there are men of the grea