nephew's persevering nonsense, "explain to your cousin the
difference between a battle and a massacre."

"A massacre," said William, rising from his seat, and fixing his
eyes alternately upon his father, his mother, and the bishop (all of
whom were present) for their approbation, rather than the person's
to whom his instructions were to be addressed--"a massacre," said
William, "is when human beings are slain, who have it not in their
power to defend themselves."

"Dear cousin William," said Henry, "that must ever be the case with
every one who is killed."

After a short hesitation, William replied: "In massacres people are
put to death for no crime, but merely because they are objects of
suspicion."

"But in battle," said Henry, "the persons put to death are not even
suspected."

The bishop now condescended to end this disputation by saying
emphatically,

"Consider, young savage, that in battle neither the infant, the
aged, the sick, nor infirm are involved, but only those in the full
prime of health and vigour."

As this argument came from so great and reverend a man as the
bishop, Henry was obliged, by a frown from his uncle, to submit, as
one refuted; although he had an answer at the veriest tip of his