Intrepidity

An unqualified contempt of death, and indifference to fortune, as far as it regards personal safety; a fearle ne of heart and a daring enter prize of mind. According to Rochefoucault, intrepidity, especially with regard to military daring, implies firmne of character, great confidence of mind, and extraordinary strength of soul. Buoyed up and supported by these qualities, (which are sometimes natural and sometimes acquired,) men become superior to every emotion of alarm, and are insensible of those perturbations of the heart which the prospect of imminent danger almost always engenders. Chevalier Folard defines it to be a settled contempt of death, a species of courage which so intoxicates the mind as to make it leap over the sober bounds of judgment and discretion; an enthusiastic impulse which urges us forward and renders danger imperceptible, or, if discovered, raises our sensations beyond the least impre ion of fear. A general may be said to act with intrepidity , when with forces inferior to those of his enemy, and under all the disadvantages of ground, . he hazards a general action, attacks his whole front, and finally defeats him. This hardine and enter prize of character not only surprize your enemy, but likewise create emotions of wonder. If, on the contrary, a general at the head of a small army should be known to act against another that is superior to him in every point, except that of talent and military skill, and if by means of these qualities, the former should by able manœuvres and well concerted measures, render all the designs and attempts of the latter fruitle and abortive (at a time and under circumstances, which might dishearten almost any other general,) it is then fair to conclude, that the conduct of such a general is the consequence of great military knowlege; but it cannot, with propriety be said to be the result of intrepidity ; for it must be evident, that before any very dangerous step has been taken, most of the obstacles have been previously removed or rendered practicable. An officer, who is not under the influence of that species of intrepidity which we have described, when he has once got upon equal ground, or finds it nece ary to risk an action, will, without hesitation, advance against his enemy, depending wholly upon military skill and the superior disposition of his line of battle. Full of resources and with great presence of mind, he will march forward and obtain a victory, not by dint of courage or by the mere favor of fortune, but through judgment, military ingenuity, and great tactical knowlege. And yet it would be an injustice done to the character of such an officer, were it imagined, that he could act in this manner without po e ing great intrepidity. We are rather of opinion that such a man must have the most undaunted courage, with the additional advantage of consummate prudence founded upon military knowlege. The intrepidity of his soul is calmed by the cooler judgment of his head; he is aware of difficulties, but is not disheartened by their appearance; he is, on the contrary, encouraged to surmount them by that self-po e ion, and by that unshaken presence of mind, which enable him to execute what might seem impracticable to others. Mere intrepidity is of a lively, impetuous nature, restle and impatient of restraint, which, though it may not degenerate into downright animal brutality, is neverthele very far from being strictly rational or enlightened. If the person who acts under its immediate influence be quick in his perceptions, his conduct is generally marked by some imprudent measure, some enter prize that bids defiance to reflexion, and by some attempt that is as hastily executed as it has been inconsiderately planned. An intrepidity of this species is seldom found in the first cla of military character: sometimes indeed, but rarely, it has been accompanied by great prudence and foresight. In this number may be considered some ancient and modern heroes, such as Alexander the great, Charles king of Sweden, Henry IV. of France, Wolfe at Quebec, Bonaparte and Augereau at Lodi; De aix, Marmont, and Lannes, at Marengo; Murat at Eylau; Davoust at Austerlitz; Soult at Jena; Claperede on the Danube, in 1809; if instances be found in their histories where prudence and discretion have been overleaped by an intrepidity of soul that was too actively disposed on certain occasions, the effect was temporary, and easy to be traced to a cause which was too powerfully engrafted upon their nature, to be always subject to control.