and to be placed in a situation where calmness of temper and prudence would
be more requisite than military courage or generosity of disposition.

"Well, my dear mother," cried Godfrey, when he came to take leave, "fare
you well: if I live, I hope I shall distinguish myself; and if I fall--

'How sleep the brave, who sink to rest!'"

"God bless you, my dear son!" said his mother. She seemed to have much
more to say, but, unable at that moment to express it, she turned to her
husband, who knew all she thought and felt.

"My dear Godfrey," said his father, "I have never troubled you with much
advice; but now you are going from me, let me advise you to take care that
the same enthusiasm which makes you think your own country the best country
upon earth, your own family the best family in that country, and your own
regiment the best regiment in the service, all which is becoming a good
patriot, a good son, and a good soldier, should go a step--a dangerous step
farther, and should degenerate into party spirit, or what the French call
_esprit-de-corps_."

"The French!" cried Godfrey. "Oh! hang the French! Never mind what the
French call it, sir."

"And degenerating into party-spirit, or what is called _esprit-de-corps_,"
resumed Mr. Percy, smiling, "should, in spite of your more enlarged views
of the military art and science, and your knowledge of all that Alexander
and Caesar, and Marshal Saxe and Turenne, and the Duke of Marlborough and
Lord Peterborough, ever said or did, persuade you to believe that your
brother officers, whoever they may be, are the greatest men that ever