The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 08, No. 49, November, 1861 by Various
page 73 of 296 (24%)
page 73 of 296 (24%)
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coward who would flee the fire of the enemy may be kept at his post by
the equal dread of death from his commander. Open a double fire upon these wayward youths. Make the Barbarians enlist in the Roman legions. In short, teach Haguna and the others philosophy. There will then no longer be an opposing force of entirely different nature, but merely an influence of the same kind as he has been accustomed to, though vastly inferior in power." The philosopher started,--the idea was so new to him. "But, my friend," he urged, doubtfully, "do you not remember, that, after the Romans had painfully learnt ship-building from the Carthaginians, they vanquished them with their own weapons? Might not some such danger be apprehended in this case?" His companion reddened with indignation, then spoke in a tone of mildly severe rebuke. "Are the girls Romans? Do you suppose that in ship-building the silly little things would ever advance beyond scows? We shall have the double advantage of the plenum, by their minds being turned in the same direction as those of our students,--and of the defeat and shipwreck, through fighting in unseaworthy vessels." "I have another idea also," observed the philosopher. "Even supposing, as I must confess there seems to me a possibility, that in a philosophical tournament, or trial of wits, they should occasionally come off victorious," (his friend shook his head angrily,) "the effect of separation that we desire would still be obtained. Haguna would no longer be able to entangle silly boys in her treacherous hair. Your |
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