French dominion, they poured their blood with Wolfe on the Heights of
Abraham. Through all this troubled time, the flower of the youth were
cut down by the sword, or died of physical diseases, or became
unprofitable citizens by moral ones contracted in the camp and field.
Dr. Douglass, a shrewd Scotch physician of the last century, who died
before war had gathered in half its harvest, computes that many thousand
blooming damsels, capable and well inclined to serve the state as wives
and mothers, were compelled to lead lives of barren celibacy by the
consequences of the successful siege of Louisburg. But we will not
sadden ourselves with these doleful thoughts, when we are to witness the
triumphal entry of the victors into the surrendered town.

The thundering of drums, irregularly beaten, grows more and more
distinct, and the shattered strength of the western wall of Louisburg
stretches out before the eye, forty feet in height, and far overtopped
by a rock built citadel. In yonder breach the broken timber, fractured
stones, and crumbling earth prove the effect of the provincial cannon.
The drawbridge is down over the wide moat; the gate is open; and the
general and British commodore are received by the French authorities
beneath the dark and lofty portal arch. Through the massive gloom of
this deep avenue there is a vista of the main street, bordered by high
peaked houses, in the fashion of old France; the view is terminated by
the centre square of the city, in the midst of which rises a stone
cross; and shaven monks, and women with their children, are kneeling at
its foot. A confused sobbing and half-stifled shrieks are heard, as the
tumultuous advance of the conquering army becomes audible to those
within the walls. By the light which falls through the archway, we
perceive that a few months have somewhat changed the general's mien,
giving it the freedom of one acquainted with peril, and accustomed to
command; nor, amid hopes of more solid reward, does he appear insensible