had happened in the early years of the Roses’ quarrel was certainly not calculated to make generals out of children.  In this respect Edward stands quite alone in the list of great commanders.  Alexander, Hannibal, the first Scipio Africanus, Pompeius, Don John of Austria, Conde, Charles XII., Napoleon, and some other young soldiers of the highest eminence, were either all regularly instructed in the military art, or succeeded to the command of veteran armies, or were advised and assisted by old and skilful generals.  Besides, they were all older than Edward when they first had independent command.  Gaston de Foix approaches nearest to the Yorkist king, but he gained only one battle, was older at Ravenna than Edward was at Towton, and perished in the hour of victory.  Clive, perhaps, may be considered as equalling the Plantagenet king in original genius for war, but the scene of his actions, and the materials with which he wrought, were so very different from those of other youthful commanders, that no just comparison can be made between him and any one of their number.

The English have asserted that they lost the Battle of Falkirk, in 1746, because of the severity of a snow-storm that took place when they went into action, a strong wind blowing the snow straight into their faces; and one of the causes of the defeat of the Highlanders at Culloden, three months later, was another fall of snow, which was accompanied by wind that then blew into their faces.  Fortune was impartial, and made the one storm to balance the other.

That the American army was not destroyed soon after the Battle of Long Island must be attributed to the foggy weather of the 29th of August, 1776.  But for the successful retreat of Washington’s army from Long Island, on the night of the 29th-30th, the Declaration of Independence would have been made waste paper in “sixty days” after its adoption; and that retreat could not have been made, had there not been a dense fog under cover of which to make it, and to deter the enemy from action.  Washington and his whole army would have been slain or captured, could the British forces have had clear weather in which to operate.  “The fog which prevailed all this time,” says Irving, “seemed almost Providential.  While it hung over Long Island, and concealed the movements of the Americans, the atmosphere was clear on the New York side of the river.  The adverse wind, too, died away, the river became so smooth that the rowboats could be laden almost to the gunwale; and a favoring breeze sprang up for the sail-boats.  The whole embarkation of troops, ammunition, provisions, cattle, horses, and carts, was happily effected, and by daybreak the greater part had safely reached the city, thanks to the aid of Glover’s Marblehead men.  Scarce anything was abandoned to the enemy, excepting a few heavy pieces of artillery.  At a proper time, Mifflin with his covering party left the lines, and effected a silent retreat to the ferry.  Washington, though repeatedly entreated, refused to enter a boat until all the troops were embarked, and crossed the river with the last.”  Americans should ever regard a fog with a certain reverence, for a fog saved their country in 1776.