The Looe Volunteers might pride themselves on their longevity--at the best a dodging of the common lot.
We, characteristically, thought first of death and wounds.
As the Major put it, at another public meeting: "There are risks even in handling the explosives generously supplied to us by Government.
But suppose--and the supposition is surely not extravagant--that history should repeat itself; that our ancient enemy should once again, as in 1456, thunder at _this_ gate of England.

He will thunder in vain, gentlemen! (Loud applause.) As a wave from the cliff he will draw back, hissing, from the iron mouths of our guns.
But, gentlemen"-- here the Mayor sank his voice impressively-- "we cannot have omelets without the breaking of eggs, nor victories without effusion of blood.

He may leave prisoners in our hands: he will assuredly leave us with dead to bury, with wounded to care for.
As masters of the field, we shall discharge these offices of common humanity, not discriminating between friend and foe.

But in what position are we to fulfil them ?" The fact was (when we came to consider it) our prevision had extended no farther than the actual combat: for its most ordinary results we had made no preparation at all.
But in Troy we are nothing if not thorough.

The meeting appointed an Emergency Committee then and there; and the Committee, having retired to reassemble ten minutes later at the "General Wolfe," within an hour sketched out the following proposals: 1 .-- An Ambulance Corps to be formed of youths under sixteen (not being bandsmen) and adults variously unfit for military service.
2 .-- A Corps of Female Nurses.