We have given but a few aspects of a rich and endless theme, and have depicted these more by examples than analysis, mindful of the saying of Sidney, that Alexander received more bravery of mind by the example of Achilles than by hearing the definition of fortitude.  If we have seemed to draw illustrations too profusely from the records of battles, it is to be remembered, that, even if war be not the best nurse of heroisms, it is their best historian.  The chase, for instance, though perhaps as prolific in deeds of daring as the camp, has found few Cummings and Gerards for annalists, and the more trivial aim of the pursuit diminishes the permanence of its records.  The sublime fortitude of hospitals, the bravery shown in infected cities, the fearlessness of firemen and of sailors, these belong to those times of peace which have as yet few historians.  But we have sought to exhibit the deep foundations and instincts of courage, and it matters little whence the illustrations come.  Doubtless, for every great deed ever narrated, there were a hundred greater ones untold; and the noblest valor of the world may sleep unrecorded, like the heroes before Homer.

But there are things which, once written, the world does not willingly let die; embalmed in enthusiasm, borne down on the unconquerable instincts of childhood, they become imperishable and eternal.  We need not travel to visit the graves of the heroes:  they are become a part of the common air; their line is gone out to all generations.  Shakspeares are but their servants; no change of time or degradation of circumstance can debar us from their lesson.  The fascination which every one finds in the simplest narrative of daring is the sufficient testimony to its priceless and permanent worth.  Human existence finds its range expanded, when Demosthenes describes Philip of Macedon, his enemy:  “I saw this Philip, with whom we disputed for empire.  I saw him, though covered with wounds, his eye struck out, his collar-bone broken, maimed in his hands, maimed in his feet, still resolutely rush into the midst of dangers, ready to deliver up to Fortune any part of his body she might require, provided he might live honorably and gloriously with the rest.”  Would it not be shameful, that war should leave us such memories as these, and peace bequeathe us only money and repose?  True, “peace hath her victories, no less renowned than war.”  No less! but they should be infinitely greater. Esto miles pacificus, “Be the soldier of peace,” was the priestly benediction of mediaeval knights; and the aspirations of humaner ages should lead us into heroisms such as Plutarch never portrayed, and even Bayard and Sidney only prophesied, but died without the sight of.

[Footnote 1:  It is worth mentioning, that among the deserters was one valorous writing-master, who had previously prepared a breastplate of two quires of his-own foolscap, inscribing thereon, in his best penmanship,—­“This is the body of J.M.; pray, give it Christian burial.”]