TUE COST CF A WAR 35:5

This is a country in Germany, on the banks of the
Rhine, one of the most populous and best cultivated
custricts in that empire, filled with towns and villages,
and industrious inhabitants.

“I should be sorry to do it,” replied the King,
“for you know how much odium was cast upon us
throughout Europe when a part of it was laid waste
some time ago, under Marshal Turenne.”’

“It cannot be helped, sire,” returned Louvois.
“ All the damage he did has been repaired, and the
country is as flourishing as ever. If we leave it in
its present state, it will afford quarters to your
Majesty’s enemies, and endanger your conquests. It
must be entirely ruined—the good of the service will
not permit it to be otherwise.”

‘ Well, then,” answered Louis, “if it must be so,
you are to give orders accordingly.” So saying, he
left the cabinet, and went to assist at a magnificent
festival given in honour of his favourite mistress by
a prince of the blood. oO

The pitiless Louvois lost no time; but despatched
a courier that very night, with positive orders to the
Hrench generals in the Palatinate to carry fire and
desolation through the whole country—not to leave
a house or a tree standing—and to expel all the
inhabitants.

It was the midst of a rigorous winter.

Os. Oh, horrible! But surely the generals would
not obey such orders ? ,

#, What! a general disobey the commands of his
sovereign! that would be contrary to every maxim of
the trade. Right and wrong are no considerations
to a military man. He is only to do as he is bidden.
The French generals who were upon the spot, and
must seo with their own eyes all that was done, pro-
bably felt somewhat lke men on the occasion ; but the
sacrifice to their duty as soldiers was so much the
greater. The commands were peremptory, and they
were obeyed to a tittle, Towns and villages were