The brilliancy of our cavalry service is equally acknowledged, though French military writers strive sometimes to mock it, very ineffectually, as in the following example; “Dans la retraite de la Corogne, les corps de cavalerie faisaient halte; le chef commandait: _Pied à terre; prenez vos pistolets_; et à un troisième commandement, chaque cavalier brûlait la cervelle à son cheval en un temps et deux mouvements.” (Foy, _Hist. Guerre. Pénins._ liv. ii.) In illustration of the character of Napoléon, of which I have attempted some analysis in this Canto, I have drawn together a few striking passages from the most eminent military writers of England and France, Napier and Foy:-- “That greatest of all masters of the art of war.” (Napier, _Hist. War in the Penins._ book xxiv. chap. 6.) “In following up a victory the English general fell short of the French emperor. The battle of Wellington was the stroke of a battering ram, down went the wall in ruins. The battle of Napoléon was the swell and dash of a mighty wave, before which the barrier yielded and the roaring flood poured onwards covering all.” (_Ibid._) “That successful improvisation in which Napoléon seems to have surpassed all mankind.” (_Ibid._) “Vaincre et trouver des instruments de victoire était le travail de sa vie.” (Foy, _Hist. Guerre. Pénins._ liv. i. _Caractère de Napoléon._) “Jamais esprit plus profondément meditatif ne fut plus fécond en illuminations rapides et soudaines.” (_Ibid._) “Toujours prêt à combattre, habituellement il choisissait l’occasion et le terrain. Il a donné quarante batailles pour huit ou dix qu’il a reçues.” (_Ibid._) “Napoléon’s system of war was admirably adapted to draw forth and augment the military excellence and to strengthen the weakness of the national character. His discipline, severe but appealing to the feelings of hope and honour, wrought the quick temperament of the French soldiers to patience under hardship, and strong endurance under fire. * * He thus made his troops, not invincible indeed, nature had put a bar to that in the character of the British soldier, but so terrible and sure in war that the number and greatness of their exploits surpassed those of all other nations.” (Napier, _Hist. War in the Penins._ book xxiv. chap. 6.)