Idler No. 5. Saturday, May 13, 1758.
Our
military operations are at last begun; our troops are marching in all
the pomp of war, and a camp is marked out on the Isle of Wight; the
heart of every Englishman now swells with confidence, though somewhat
softened by generous compassion for the consternation and distresses of
our enemies.
This formidable armament and splendid march produce
different effects upon different minds, according to the boundless
diversities of temper, occupation, and habits of thought.
Many a
tender maiden considers her lover as already lost, because he cannot
reach the camp but by crossing the sea; men of a more political
understanding are persuaded that we shall now see, in a few days, the
ambassadours of France supplicating for pity. Some are hoping for a
bloody battle, because a bloody battle makes a vendible narrative; some
are composing songs of victory; some planning arches of triumph; and
some are mixing fireworks for the celebration of a peace.
Of all
extensive and complicated objects, different parts are selected by
different eyes; and minds are variously affected, as they vary their
attention. The care of the publick is now fixed upon our soldiers, who
are leaving their native country to wander, none can tell how long, in
the pathless deserts of the Isle of Wight. The tender sigh for their
sufferings, and the gay drink to their success. I, who look, or believe
myself to look, with more philosophick eyes on human affairs, must
confess, that I saw the troops march with little emotion; my thoughts
were fixed upon other scenes, and the tear stole into my eyes, not for
those who were going away, but for those who were left behind.
We
have no reason to doubt but our troops will proceed with proper
caution; there are men among them who can take care of themselves. But
how shall the ladies endure without them? By what arts can they, who
have long had no joy but from the civilities of a soldier, now amuse
their hours, and solace their separation?
Of fifty thousand men,
now destined to different stations, if we allow each to have been
occasionally necessary only to four women, a short computation will
inform us, that two hundred thousand ladies are left to languish in
distress; two hundred thousand ladies, who must run to sales and
auctions without an attendant; sit at the play, without a critick to
direct their opinion; buy their fans by their own judgment; dispose
shells by their own invention; walk in the Mall without a gallant; go to
the gardens without a protector; and shuffle cards with vain
impatience, for want of a fourth to complete the party.
Of these
ladies, some, I hope, have lap-dogs, and some monkeys; but they are
unsatisfactory companions. Many useful offices are performed by men of
scarlet, to which neither dog nor monkey has adequate abilities. A
parrot, indeed, is as fine as a colonel, and, if he has been much used
to good company, is not wholly without conversation; but a parrot, after
all, is a poor little creature, and has neither sword nor
shoulder-knot, can neither dance nor play at cards.
Since the
soldiers must obey the call of their duty, and go to that side of the
kingdom which faces France, I know not why the ladies, who cannot live
without them, should not follow them. The prejudices and pride of man
have long presumed the sword and spindle made for different hands, and
denied the other sex to partake the grandeur of military glory. This
notion may be consistently enough received in France, where the salick
law excludes females from the throne; but we, who allow them to be
sovereigns, may surely suppose them capable to be soldiers.
It
were to be wished that some man, whose experience and authority might
enforce regard, would propose that our encampments for the present year
should comprise an equal number of men and women, who should march and
fight in mingled bodies. If proper colonels were once appointed, and the
drums ordered to beat for female volunteers, our regiments would soon
be filled without the reproach or cruelty of an impress.
Of these
heroines, some might serve on foot under the denomination of the
_Female Buffs_, and some on horseback, with the title of _Lady Hussars_.
What objections can be made to this scheme I have endeavoured
maturely to consider; and cannot find that a modern soldier has any
duties, except that of obedience, which a lady cannot perform. If the
hair has lost its powder, a lady has a puff; if a coat be spotted, a
lady has a brush. Strength is of less importance since fire-arms have
been used; blows of the hand are now seldom exchanged; and what is there
to be done in the charge or the retreat beyond the powers of a
sprightly maiden?
Our masculine squadrons will not suppose
themselves disgraced by their auxiliaries, till they have done something
which women could not have done. The troops of Braddock never saw their
enemies, and perhaps were defeated by women. If our American general
had headed an army of girls, he might still have built a fort and taken
it. Had Minorca been defended by a female garrison, it might have been
surrendered, as it was, without a breach; and I cannot but think, that
seven thousand women might have ventured to look at Rochfort, sack a
village, rob a vineyard, and return in safety.
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