arry._--I then have thought (though I pity poor soldiers extremely,
and always give them something if I have any money in my pocket) that
they draw these mischiefs upon themselves, because they endeavour to
kill and destroy other people, and, therefore, if they suffer the same
evils in return, they can hardly complain.

_Mr Barlow._--They cannot complain of the evils to which they
voluntarily expose themselves, but they may justly complain of the
ingratitude of the people, for whom they fight, and who take no care of
them afterwards.

_Harry._--Indeed, sir, I think so. But I cannot conceive why people must
hire others to fight for them. If it is necessary to fight, why not
fight for themselves? I should be ashamed to go to another boy and say
to him, "Pray go and venture your life or limbs for me that I may stay
at home and do nothing."

_Tommy._--What if the French were to come here, as they said they were
about to do; would you go out to fight them yourself?

_Harry._--I have heard my father say that it was every man's duty to
fight for his country, if it were attacked; and if my father went out to
fight, I would go out with him. I would not willingly hurt anybody, but
if they attempt to hurt me or my countrymen, we should do right to
defend ourselves; should we not, sir?

_Mr Barlow._--This is certainly a case where men have a right to defend
themselves; no man is bound to yield his life or property to another
that has no right to take it. Among those Grecians, whom you were
talking of, every man was a soldier, and always ready to defend his
country whenever it was attacked.

_Harry._--Pray, dear sir, read to Master Tommy the story of Leonidas,
which gave me so much pleasure; I am sure he will like to hear it.

Mr Barlow accordingly read

"THE HISTORY OF LEONIDAS, KING OF SPARTA."

"The king of Persia commanded a great extent of territory, which was
inhabited by many millions of people, and not only abounded in all the
necessaries of life, but produced immense quantities of gold and silver,
and every other costly thing. Yet all this did not satisfy the haughty
mind of Xerxes, who, at that time, possessed the empire of this country.
He considered that the Grecians, his neighbours, were free, and refused
to obey his imperious orders, which he foolishly imagined all mankind
should respect; he therefore determined to make an expedition with a
mighty army into Greece, and to conquer the country. For this reaso