“Never,” writes Maxwell,[183] “was the ordeal to which an unfortunate commander was subjected so gently exercised--no man obtained a larger share of sympathy from his countrymen, and none deserved it better. Misfortunes and mistakes were half forgotten--and the failure of Moore’s campaign was attributed to that evil influence exercised by individuals at home and on the Peninsula by whom he was misguided in the commencement and abandoned in the end. On the living, popular disapprobation descended with unsparing severity, while the faults of the departed soldier seemed buried in his warrior grave.... To claim equality as a commander for Moore with Wellington, Napoleon, and Soult” (it was in defending himself against Soult that Moore fell) “no circumstances will warrant. Sir John was a first-rate officer--but he never could have been a great commander. He was an able tactician--understood thoroughly the economy of an army--handled troops well--had a sound discretion and a clear head--but a constitutional defect in some degree neutralised these admirable qualities. Moore lacked confidence in himself--he was haunted by a fear of responsibility--and a constant dread of doing that which was wrong, of running himself and his troops into difficulties from which they might not be able to extricate themselves.... Sir John Moore had earned the highest reputation as a general of division; he was aware of [Illustration: A NATIVE CART] [Illustration: A STREET IN CORUÑA] [Illustration: A WATER CARRIER, LA CORUÑA] [Illustration: KEEPING MAY DAY, BETANZOS] PHOTOS. BY AUTHOR [Illustration: THE TOWER OF HERCULES, LA CORUÑA [Illustration: TOMB OF SIR JOHN MOORE ON THE RAMPARTS OF LA CORUÑA] this, and perhaps felt no inclination to risk it; at all events, _he was clearly incapable of despising partial obstacles in the pursuit of some great ultimate advantage_.” The Italics are my own.