Lord Chesterfield declared that Truth made the success of a
gentleman. The Duke of Wellington, writing to Kellerman, on the
subject of prisoners on parole, when opposed to that general in the
peninsula, told him that if there was one thing on which an English
officer prided himself more than another, excepting his courage, it
was his truthfulness. "When English officers," said he, "have
given their parole of honour not to escape, be sure they will not
break it. Believe me--trust to their word; the word of an English
officer is a surer guarantee than the vigilance of sentinels."
True courage and gentleness go hand in hand. The brave man is
generous and forbearant, never unforgiving and cruel. It was
finely said of Sir John Franklin by his friend Parry, that "he was
a man who never turned his back upon a danger, yet of that
tenderness that he would not brush away a mosquito." A fine trait
of character--truly gentle, and worthy of the spirit of Bayard--was
displayed by a French officer in the cavalry combat of El Bodon in
Spain. He had raised his sword to strike Sir Felton Harvey, but
perceiving his antagonist had only one arm, he instantly stopped,
brought down his sword before Sir Felton in the usual salute, and
rode past. To this may be added a noble and gentle deed of Ney
during the same Peninsular War.
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