activity. Let a man of energetic and upright character be
appointed to a position of trust and authority, and all who serve
under him become, as it were, conscious of an increase of power.
When Chatham was appointed minister, his personal influence was at
once felt through all the ramifications of office. Every sailor
who served under Nelson, and knew he was in command, shared the
inspiration of the hero.

When Washington consented to act as commander-in-chief, it was
felt as if the strength of the American forces had been more than
doubled. Many years late; in 1798, when Washington, grown old,
had withdrawn from public life and was living in retirement at
Mount Vernon, and when it seemed probable that France would
declare war against the United States, President Adams wrote to
him, saying, "We must have your name, if you will permit us to use
it; there will be more efficacy in it than in many an army." Such
was the esteem in which the great President's noble character and
eminent abilities were held by his countrymen! (13)

An incident is related by the historian of the Peninsular War,
illustrative of the personal influence exercised by a great
commander over his followers. The British army lay at Sauroren,
before which Soult was advancing, prepared to attack, in force.
Wellington was absent, and his arrival was anxiously looked for.
Suddenly a single horseman was seen riding up the mountain alone.
It was the Duke, about to join his troops. One of Campbell's
Portuguese battalions first descried him, and raised a joyful cry;
then the shrill clamour, caught up by the next regiment, soon
swelled as it ran along the line into that appalling shout which
the British soldier is wont to give upon the edge of battle, and