Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1804 edition. Excerpt: ... war. SECTION XII. Swede. THE Danes and Swedes were among the boldest and most New epoch adventurous of the Teutonic nations, in former times. The Swedes, at a late period, attained the highest military glory of any nation in Europe, and some part of it was the best deserved. The wars of Gustavus Adolphus furnished the means of estimating the powers of man by their real value; for the lights, which then arose, from experience, may be considered as the rudiments of the new art of war. The foot soldier resumed his importance, which had been lost for ages past; and, as the cause of contest--the vindication of liberty and freedom of conscience--was a general and a noble one, the mass of the people was individually interested, its power was brought into view, and its value appreciated. The feats of many great generals and conquerors stand recorded in the annals of the world;--but most of these generals are men, who committed slaughter on their fellow-creatures--without bounds, without remorse, and for causes which are not warrantable. Gustavus protected those AvhO were oppressed; he drew the sword in vindication of the independence of the human mind; and as he was the protector, he may, with justice, be held up to view, as the hero of the human race. Those who rallied under his banners felt the enthusiasm of liberty, the importance of their common nature; their courage was sublime, for it originated in the highest motives; they were bound to their object, for it was a cause common to all; it acted upon the mind of all, and, as it was just, it implied, and, by its success, appeared to ob L tain tain the sanction of Heaven. The Swedish nation, and the King of the Swedes, rendered themselves dear to mankind by their generosity; their..."
