The Swiss owe their reputation to their freedom, and their freedom to their valor. Their military spirit is entirely free from greed of territory, lust of power, “the pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war,” and other forces far from admirable in their motive, which give prominence and predominance to modern armaments; it is inspired by motives of civic manhood and manly self-assertion. A small and by no means rich nation that relaxes not from its attitude of defence is less likely to be attacked, though surrounded by powerful and ambitious neighbors, than another nation which possesses wealth, commerce, population, and all the sinews of war in far greater abundance, but is unprepared. The more sleek the prey, the greater is the temptation, and “no wolf will leave a sheep to dine upon a porcupine.” The spirit which animated the brave old Swiss was not that of revenge, or plunder, or bloodshed. They fought simply when and because it was necessary to insure the liberty of their native land. It was a sense of duty rather than love of glory that strengthened and filled them with an invincible heroism and inspired them with the sentiment so often heard on the battle-field, _Wir müssen unsere Pflicht thun_ (“we must do our duty”). The set of military regulations drawn up after the battle of Sempach, more than five hundred years ago, might furnish a model for to-day; a few taken at random will show their tenor: 1. Not to attack or injure any church or chapel unless the enemy have retired into it. 2. Not to insult any females. 3. It is forbidden to any man to straggle for the sake of plunder, or to appropriate to himself any part of the booty, which must all be reported and be divided equally in good faith. 4. Every Swiss engages to sacrifice his life or property, if required, for the defence of his countrymen. 5. No Swiss shall abandon his post even when wounded. 6. No Swiss shall take away anything from any of his countrymen either in peace or war. War has been the great training school of hardihood, endurance, courage, self-sacrifice, and devotion to public duty. There is no profession more favorable to the growth of noble sentiment and manly action than that of the soldier; and to its beneficial action in the formation of States, every page of history bears flaming testimony. A great German professor declares: “Our army is not simply the organized power of the state; it is also a great school, nay, our greatest school for the masses, of intellectual culture, morals, politeness and patriotism.” Let the Swiss ever cherish and imitate the simple lives, the undaunted courage, the obstinate and enduring spirit, and the lofty patriotism of their ancestors who, in the great contests which rolled round the fort of their mountains, died on the fields of Morat and Morgarten. CHAPTER XIII. EDUCATION.