Page:Armatafragment00ersk.djvu/61

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¬object, the unlimited grant was rejected, and the revenue after all given up to enforce a nominal demand. — Many eloquent and solemn protests of our most illustrious men of that time were opposed in vain to this insane project. The whole strength of Armata was put forth, and her armies invaded a country so much more extensive than her own, that when collected upon its adverse surface, they could scarcely hear the sound of one another's cannon. — Need I conclude by adding that they were all taken like so many birds in the net of the fowler, and the dominion of Armata, which before had stood upon a rock, was renounced by Hesperia for ever — at first in deiiance — but at last, when the combat became manifestly hopeless, dissolved by mutual consent." ¬When my friend had finished this marvellous or rather incredible history, you will not, reader, be surprized that I interrupted him for a mo- ment, much as I was alive to hear its continua- tion, by asking only one question. " How," I ¬e 2 said, ¬