An unjust war, or a war unjustly waged, lay
heavy on him. A soldier knows the likelihood of his dying in his
vocation. If he think it criminal, let him abandon it. Up to this day
my conscience has not troubled me on that score. War, always an evil,
is often a necessity; and I wonder whether, after an hundred years of
peace, we would not find nations worse and more worthless than they
now are."
Mrs. Shortridge now called their attention to the number of storks in
the air. The sun had set, and these grave birds were seeking their
roosts; every tower of church and monastery affording a domicil to
some feathered family, with the full sanction of the biped denizens
below.
"The social position of these long-legged gentry all over the
peninsula," said L'Isle, "is one of the characteristics of the
country. It is astonishing what an amount of respect, and an immunity
from harm, they enjoy. I am afraid they would fare worse at the hands
of the more brutal part of our English populace. They are useful, too;
but are more indebted for their safety, and the respect shown them
here, to the clerical gravity of their demeanor."
They had now reached their lodgings, and were soon after joined by the
commissary, who came in rubbing his hands, and exclaiming: "Capital
bargains to be made here! Corn plenty, and bullocks that would make a
figure in Smithfield.
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