[Illustration: Antwerp under Bombardment.
The curtain descends upon the tragedy of Antwerp, and as we rise from its contemplation two pictures remain fixed in our memories--the one, a march of triumph, with all the pomp and circumstance of war, the fanfare of trumpets, the rattle of drums, the gay uniforms, the gallant chargers, the nodding plumes, the stir and movement of victorious legions; the other, long, long trails of anguished men, distraught women, and sobbing children, bereft at one stroke of home, kindred, and possessions, driven forth to perish of hunger by the wayside, to begin life anew as exiles in a foreign land, or to return to their ruined homes as the subjects of a pitiless conqueror. Never were the terrible contrasts of war thrown into sharper relief; never was the ruthlessness of armed strife so painfully brought home to the onlooking world. A mighty nation, drunk with the lust of empire, had trampled to ruin a little, toiling people, innocent of offence in the sight of God and man. It had dared to defend itself, and for this heinous crime an overwhelming foe "slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man or him that stooped for age." The blare of trumpets and the roll of drums may stop the ears of men to every cry of agony, and deaden their hearts to every impulse of mercy; but they can avail nothing before Him who has said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay."
[Footnote 162: (1653-1702.) Frequently defeated the French between 1690 and 1694, and in 1702, almost single-handed, fought a French fleet in the West Indies for five days. He died from injuries received in the battle.]
[Footnote 163: (1705-81.) His chief battle was a victory over the French in Quiberon Bay (1759)--one of the most daring and successful actions on record.]
[Footnote 164: (1750-1810.) The great friend of Nelson, to whom he was second in command at Trafalgar.]
[Footnote 165: (1726-99.) His greatest exploit was a crushing defeat inflicted on the French, from whom he took six ships, on "the glorious First of June" 1794, off Ushant.]
[Footnote 166: (1724-1816.) He won many naval victories.]
[Footnote 167: (1697-1762.) Not only a great fighting admiral, but a circumnavigator of the globe. The story of his _Voyage Round the World_ is still worth reading.]
