AT THE YEW-TREE All the common-sense of England, more abundant in those days than now, felt that the war had not been fought out, and the way to the lap of peace could only be won by vigorous use of the arms.

Some few there were even then, as now there is a cackling multitude, besotted enough to believe that facts can be undone by blinking them.

But our forefathers on the whole were wise, and knew that nothing is trampled more basely than right that will not right itself.
Therefore they set their faces hard, and toughened their hearts like knotted oak, against all that man could do to them.

There were no magnificent proclamations, no big vaunts of victory at the buckling on of armour, but the quiet strength of steadfast wills, and the stern resolve to strike when stricken, and try to last the longest.

And so their mother-land became the mother of men and freedom.
In November, 1802, the speech from the throne apprised the world that England was preparing.