The city is _en fete_; and somehow when I think of that Dance of Death thundering ceaselessly just south of us, it appalls me to encounter such gaiety and irresponsibility in the streets.
"Yet, after all, it may be the safety-valve of a brave people.
Those whirling daily in the Dance of Death have, at least, the excitement to sustain them.

Here the tension is constant and terrible; and the human mind cannot endure too much tragedy.
".

.

.

They say our President fits a witticism to the tragedy of every battle-field; but it may be to preserve his own reason through these infernal years.