HOW ENGLAND TREATED HER PRISONERS OF WAR A HUNDRED YEARS
AGO.
[To rue Emma or vas "Srsouros."1 Sin,—The beautiful epitaph enclosed is to be found on a monument in the garden at the Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham, where are laid to rest many prisoners of war of a hundred years ago. Its charity, dignity, and humanity speak for themselves. It strikes a noble note between the extravagant sentiment of the present day, which would treat living prisoners as martyrs and dead ones as saints, and the callous cruelty which would forget to grant the honours of war to those who deserve them.—I am, Sir, &e„
Here are gathered together The remains of many brave soldiers and sailors Who, having once been the foes, afterwards the captives of England, Now find rest in her soil, Remembering no more the animosities of war Or the sorrows of imprisonment. They were deprived of the consolation of closing their eyes Amongst the countrymen they loved, But they have been laid in an honourable grave By a nation which knows how to respect valour And to sympathize with misfortune."
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