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THE DEMEANOUR OF ENGLAND. 275 than he could see without amazement and orief chap. IX Not indeed was it wholly from sense of wrong ' done to himself that he suffered the pain he did. He loved the monarchy of England, seeing in it grand principles where many only saw fictions, and apparently there was something revolting to him in the spectacle of the Queen's Government coming down, as it were, into the street to join in assailing the commander of the Queen's army, and the devoted officers at his side, whilst en- gaged in a trying campaign. Whether answering the inculpatory letters or His answer* the inculpating despatch. Lord Raglan used the of New- same tone. He owned the bitter pain he en- dured under the accusations levelled against him by his Queen's Government, and then proceeded to meet them with high spirit, with frankness, with dignity, with over - mastering knowledge. He set aside the Ministerial notion of offering him shelter behind his chief Staff officers at Headquarters by showing that they not only worked under his very eye and under his imme- diate orders, but had earned and were earning his absolute, unqualified, and warm approval. He informed the Government that lie regarded their censures as importing a withdrawal of the confidence with which they before had supported him ; but at the same time he formed a resolve which was worthy of himself and of the great man whose example he loved to keep before him. He determined not to harbour the idea of resign- ing his command. The Ministry, he knew very well, might force Lord Hardinge to order liim