but never mind
that, for we are obliged to take into our terrible questioning now what
is always most trying in the problem of life,--the results of human
imperfection--

[FN: Mrs. George Curtis, of New York, whose son, Joseph Bridgham Curtis,
lieutenant-colonel, commanding a Rhode Island regiment, had just fallen
at Fredericksburg, Va.]

[263] human incompetence, brought into the most immediate connection
with our own interests and affections. See what it is for our friend
Mrs. Curtis to reflect that her son was slain in that seemingly reckless
assault upon the intrenchments at Fredericksburg, or for me that my
son may be sent off in rotten transports that may founder amidst the
Southern seas.

But do I therefore spend my time in complainings and reproaches, and
almost the arraigning of Providence? No. I know that the governing
powers are trying to do the best they can. The fact is, a charge is
devolved upon them almost beyond human ability to sustain. Neither
Russia nor Austria nor France, I believe, ever had a million of soldiers
in the field, to clothe, to equip, to feed, to pay, and to direct.
We have them,--we, a peaceful people, suddenly, with no military
experience, and there must be mistakes, delays, failures. What then?
Shall we give up the cause of justice, of lawful government, of
civilization, and of the unborn ages, and do nothing? If we will
not,--if we will not yield up lawful sovereignty to mad revolt, then
must we put what power, faculty, skill, we have, to the work, and amidst
all our sacrifices and sorrows bow to the awful will of God.

Have you seen Mrs. Curtis? In her son there was a singular union of
loveliness and manliness, of gentleness and courage, and, high over all,
perfect self-abnegation. A mother could not well lose in a son more than
she has lost. I hope she does not dwell on the seeming untowardness of
the event, or that she can take it into a larger philosophy than that of
the New York press. . . .

[264] To the Same.

SHEFFIELD, July 26, 1863.

YOUR sympathy, my friend, for us and Charles, is very comforting to me.
Yes, we have heard from him since the surrender of Port Hudson. He wrote
to us on the 9th, full of joy, and glorying over the event; but, poor
fellow, he had only time to wash in the conquered Mississippi, before
his regiment was ordered down to Fort Donaldsonville, and took part in
a fight there on the 13th; and we have private advices from Baton Rouge
that the b