receiving the high and peculiar martial tribute of modern Britain; and either in their own persons, or in the transcript of their minds exhibiting, each after his own characteristic manner, the grateful sense—the dignified feeling-the glowing energy—the heroic fervor-with which they were inspired, in recollection of the past and contemplation of the future: here also the dead speak -those mighty dead who in one short life have exemplified many ages.

How much of instruction and of delight may be derived from such a contemplation is too obvious to require description; cold and indifferent indeed must be that eye which could contemplate without advantage the various excellencies that mark the eventful period of the late war-from the exercise

of the mature courage of a Howe to the distinguished policy of a Hastings; through hosts of heroes, crowned by the consecrated valor of Nelson and the living triumphs of Wellington! all the best passions are awakened, all the virtues called forth; youth animated, and age consoled.

Uncertain as are the forms of the honors of antiquity, of which none approach nearer to those of the present time than the laureated tablets permitted to the Roman generals, and those metrical compositions of the soldiery, which Livy, while he recorded, could not admit to his pages; the value of just eulogy is every where recognized. The wisdom of Greece proclaimed that “the voice of praise is sweet!" The delicate Pliny, in the most fastidious age of Rome, attri

buted to the want of desert alone that the good old fashion of rewarding those who celebrated persons or places had been neglected; for, says he, "what can be conferred more valuable than never-fading praise?" On the revival of letters one of their greatest ornaments, Petrarch, has perpetuated the satisfaction he received and the glory he derived from the praise of his contemporaries, whether philosophers or kings.

This principle still survives the wreck of time; and it remained for the free constitution of Britain, to devise for its administration, a mean more honorable than the proudest efforts of antiquity-which, while it avoids the vulgarity of popular acclamation, yields the finest incitement of patriotism, by conferring praise in the collective voice of a free and enlightened people.

Such is the Parliamentary vote of thanks! -how dignified in itself will be not merely to be inferred from the character of a British senate, but witnessed in that admirable eloquence, which rose in proportion to the grandeur of the events it celebrated, till it reached in itself the highest pitch of glory; how just also, will be perceptible from the occasional discussions that arose previous to their determination; and how discriminative, from the facts arising out of the subjects themselves.

These are the subjects which may be truly said to form THE ÆGIS OF ENGLAND; which, like that graced and strengthened by the last gift of Amalthea, and presented by Jupiter to Pallas,' shall petrify the eyes

'Virg. Æn. 8.

of her enemies;' with more pleasing force, at the same time, emulating that of Achilles,* it presents in its beauteous circle, centered in the Heavens, the contrasted blessings of peace, and tempts by example to the enjoyments of useful industry, and the delights of rural cares.

Upon these claims to attention the compiler of this volume must rest his hopes of public favor. In the collection and transcription of the several documents, he has

2

1 Hom. II. 18.

Speaking of the figure from which the title is drawn, it ought not to be forgotten that the form of the tribute to the Duke of Wellington, presented by those munificent persons, worthy of representing the House of Medici, the merchants of London, is a shield; in the compartments of which his Grace's victories are finely described by that excellent artist Stothard.