Page:The invasion of the Crimea Vol. 4.djvu/145

WHEN ABINDOXED BV THE ARMY. 1 1 ■"> energies of the defenders to Lear upon the con- chap. struction of other works of easier construction, which, however imperfect they might be, should at all events have the merit of being in time. If it be said that the necessity for taking time into account must have been obvious to all, the answer is, that, for days and days together, that necessity remained unperceived by the military authorities who had the ordering of the works. A simple truth of this kind lies often un.seen or scarce heeded until it comes under the light which genius is able to shed ; and thenceforth the wonder is that any one ever was blind to it. AVhat was said of a lusty English statesman, may be said once more in the same words, and applied to this Colonel of Sappers : All that Avas fanciful, or for any reason unpractical — all that was the least bit too high for him, or the least bit too deep for him — all that lay, though only by a little, beyond the immediate future with which he was dealing — he uttei'ly drove from out of his mind ; and bis energies, condensed for the time upon some object to which they could be applied with effect, were brought to bear upon it with all their full volume and power.* It was certain that he would strive to do the very utmost of what could be compassed by mortals ; and nothing more. Under guidance so firm and sure there could be no waste of energy, no waste of bodily labour. But besides that he Nvas able to withhold his • Jute, vol. ii. of CaLiaet Edition, p. OS.