READY WORDS AND READY ACTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 230, 31 January 1880, Page 3

READY WORDS AND READY ACTION.

This kind of promptitude is rarely coupled with staying power. It is distinctly meteoric, and part of the brilliancy is due to the gloom which follows it. And, therefore tie nations who most possess it are also purposless and without reserve of force. We all know of our own countrymen tha r . in a campaign they are generally wonted at first and victorious at last. When we say that an Unglisnmm knows wiien he is beaten, it really amounts to this—he is invariably beaten before he ultimately wins. The quality of " dash" is not the bulldog quality of "Hold fast and tear 'em." One very amusing instance of military readme; s is given in . Napier's Memoirs. The troops were defiling down a narrow gorge in India, when suddenly a in Ad bull was seen ; charging down at full swing, and with \ tremendous impetu?. The captain had presence of mind enough to give the word of toniand, which his soldiers mechanically followed. The order he: gave was singular enough. It was this: u Prepare lo receive cavalry." The soldiers obeyed, and the unfortunate bull was impaled on their bayonets. This episode has always been cited as an instance of the courage of the British soldiery. It seems rather to illustrate the courage of the Indian bull. The quality belongs also to certain professions. With military men it is absolutely essential. But an advocate cannot be great without it. It is better than eloquence, and it is that quality which makes the banister win his clients' cases often by holding his tongue. A man with less readiness might be an eloquent bungler. The possession of it is of rare advantage to Lord Be consficU, and has directed him into the channels of political success ; while the want of it has left abler men at the foot of the ladder.