r,
especially when he is informed, that while those miserable objects
cried in vain for assistance, and actually perished for want of proper
attendance, every ship of war in the fleet could have spared a couple of
surgeons for their relief; and many young gentlemen of that profession
solicited their captains in pain for leave to go and administer help
to the sick and wounded. The necessities of the poor people were well
known; the remedy was easy and apparent; but the discord between the
chiefs was inflamed to such a degree of diabolical rancor, that the
one chose rather to see his men perish than ask help of the other, who
disdained to offer his assistance unasked, though it might have
saved the lives of his fellow-subjects." [Smollett, IBID. (Anderson's
Edition), iv. 466.]

In such an amazing condition is the English Fighting Apparatus under
Walpole, being important for England's self only; while the Talking
Apparatus, important for Walpole, is in such excellent gearing, so well
kept in repair and oil! By Wentworth's blame, who had no knowledge of
war; by Vernon's, who sat famous on the Opposition side, yet wanted
loyalty of mind; by one's blame and another's, WHOSE it is idle arguing,
here is how your Fighting Apparatus performs in the hour when needed.
Unfortunate General, or General's Cocked-Hat (a brave heart too, they
say, though of brain too vacant, too opaque); unfortunate Admiral
(much blown away by vanity, in-nature and Parliamentary wind);--doubly
unfortunate Nation, that employs such to lead its armaments! How the
English Nation took it? The English Nation has had much of this kind to
take, first and last; and apparently will yet have. "Gloomy silence,"
like that of the poor men going home to their tents, is our only dialect
towards it.

This is a dreadful business, this of the wrecked Carthagena Expedition;
such a force of war-munitions in every kind,--including the rare kind,
human Courage and force of heart, only not human Captaincy, the rarest
kind,--as could have swallowed South America at discretion, had there
been Captains over it. Has gone blundering down into Orcus and the
shark's belly, in that unutterable manner. Might have been didactic
to England, more than it was; England's skin being very thick against
lessons of that nature. Might have broken the heart of a little
Sovereign Gentleman Curator of England, had he gone hypochondriacally
into it; which he was far from doing, brisk little Gentle