The million-peopled city
Garwood, John
1853
The Hotel des Invalides in Paris established before Chelsea Hospital in London, and a Standing Army established in France before its Establishment in England.
We were long after our neighbour, , before we had a standing army in England. From her we learned, that if battles were to be fought at all by a country, it is best to fight them with our own trained forces, rather than to depend on hired allies in times of especial need and danger. But when at length we determined on resting the protection of our country on the bravery of our own citizens, at a far later period than , when, under the | |
129 | had established a standing army, it became more important than ever to make provision for the wounded, the aged, and the infirm, as also to confer reward on long and faithful service at the imminent risk of life. In this bene- volent design, also, we were but imitators of our continental neighbours, and it would have been more to our honour if we had not delayed so long what was an act almost as much of justice as of mercy. |