The Sun.
London, England, 1838-06-26 00:00:00

THE QUARTERLY REVIEW AND
MARSHAL SOT.ILT.

An elaborated article has just appeared in the Quarterly
Ret7iew,profesedly written to prove that the Duke of Welling-
ton was not beaten at Toulouse, for which his Grace must be
truly thankful. The real design of the reviewer is the base
one of reviving national animosities, by insulting, and, if pos-
sible, causing others to insult, a venerable warrior who comes to
offer the right hard of peace and good fellowship to his ancient
adversaries. To insult a man who comes as the guest of England
_to insult the veteran Soult, incontestably the most eminent,
from talents and great exploits, of all the distinguished foreigners
now assembled in London for the purpose of gracing the ap-
proaching Coronation I—to insult an aged warrior, whose
name is, in the mind of every British soldier who served in the
Peninsula, as su-ely and closely associated with the recol-
lection of hard-fought battles as cracking bullets are with the
recollection cf artillery—yes, to insult this man while he is
the national guest, to create heart-burninge, to revive ignoble
prejudices, and perpetuate malice between two friendly people
is the object of the Quarterly. Soult was the first Marshal
who attacked our army in the Peninsular war ; Soult was the
last man who resisted our army in that memorable contest ;
and that he was the most skilful, persevering, and formidable
enemy we encountered during the long struggle none
can doubt. His troops were often discomfited, and the
glory of England shone the brighter therefrom ; but be
himself was never quelled in spirit, his proud head never bowed
in despair, he had the will, and he found the way to give blow
for blow to the last. That he was a magnaniP_aous enemy is
evinced by the monument he ordered to be erected to the me-
mory of the heroic Sir John Moore. T.iat he was a generous
enemy to his prisoners one of my olva family can vouch from
personal experience, and so can re,any other persons. That he
was a sturdy foe in battle eselry British officer who served
against him will acknowler):ge.
He comes now in b''., old age on a mission of peace and good
will to this country, which has ever honoured a brave and
noble opponent, respecting most at the board him who struck
hardest in t'ae field. Marshal Soult has been the gallant
enemy of England in the field. He is now her guest. How
will he be treated ? Surely in the way that will most honour him
awl his host—treated as one of the bravest and ablest
soldiers in Europe should he be treated ! Grey-haired and
covered with honourable wounds, he comes, nothing doubting
that his greeting will he such as becomes the gallant, high-
blooded people of England to offer him. He knows, none
better, /tow sternly and strongly they throng together
in battle ; he will now learn that they bear no malice after,
or the national character is changed.
It is said, nay, it is known, that the Duke of Wellington,
with that proud delicacy which is more than life-blood to a
thorough Englishman, has delayed the publication of the
eleventh volume of his dispatches, because, while Soult is in
the country, he would not let a word, a saga escape him cul-
culated to wound his former opponent, or recal past asperities.
He means to honour the soldier guest of England.
Shall this noble sentiment, or the malig►nant vulgarity of
the Quarterly Review be the guide for Englishmen? It would
be a national insult to express a doubt
Fresbford, June 24, 1838. W. NAPIER, Colonel.