MILITARY COURAGE. [TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOE."1
SIn,—The following passages are extracted from Marshal Mar- mont's well-known work, " L'Esprit de e Institutions Militaires." They will be found in the second chapter of Part IV., at pp. 195-97 of the Paris edition of 1845. I have translated them, because I think it will interest such readers of the Spectator as are not acquainted with the book to find the opinions expressed by the very able writer of the article on "Military Courage," which appeared in last week's number (October 25th), confirmed by the authority of a Marshal of ]irance, no less distinguished for his profound knowledge of the principles, than for his great skill in the practice, of the art of war. It is a very interest- ing case of the complete agreement between the conclusions of insight and the conclusions of experience :—
"The idea of danger attracts us ; nevertheless, when the critical moment arrives, and a great clanger actually threatens, there are very few men who do not feel more or less troubled. But emulation is natural to us ; to do as others do, is a necessity. Every one wishes to believe himself—is pleased to see himself—superior to his comrades. Such are the motives of conduct in virtue of which tho instinct of self-preservation gives place to the noble enthusiasm of courage. . . . . . This sentiment, so honourable to man, inspires the most generous actions. It moves the heart and nerves the arm of the private soldier as well as of the General. Thus, whatever may be his rank, the duty of a soldier must be noble, because it is a duty which in every rank is fulfilled by sacrifice, and recompensed chiefly by glory and public esteem In the presence of circumstances which are truly perilous, the sentiment called fear is by no means uncommon. It is, indeed, much more common, and exercises much greater influence over much greater numbers, than is generally believed. To oppose this sentiment, and to assist its opposite, is the chief service which authority requires from the power of discipline. And since example exerts a very great influence over the conduct of moo, since those who excel in courage always carry many others along with them, therefore no recompense can be too great for those who, coming out from the ranks, render themselves conspicuous by their extraordinary courage ; every possible means should be taken to exalt the noble daring mid the generous qualities of such men, for on them it is that the fate of battles often depends. In European armies as at present constituted, and especially among officers, degrees of bravery may be thus classified. The bravery which will not suffer a man to submit to dishonour, which compels bun to perform his duty strictly. This degree of bravery is by no means rare. The bravery which impels a man to do more than his duty. This is less common. Lastly, the bravery which determines a man, without the least hesitation, to esteem his life of less account than the success of the enterprise in which he is engaged. This is, of all qualities, the most rarely met with. Whoa, therefore, bravery of this kind is dis- played, honours, riches, and rank should be its reward ; and so seldom do opportunities occur of giving such rewards, that they will never be burdensome to any State."
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