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Hereditary Genius
165
Scipio, P. Cornelius, continued—
GN. Scipio Nasica, the jurist.
Mem. P. Corn. Sc. Aemilianus, Africanus Minor, was not of Scipio blood, but was
cousin by the mother's side of P. Corn. Sc. Africanus (see above), who
adopted him as his son. He was a most accomplished scholar and distinguished
orator.
Titus, Flav. Vesp.; Emperor of Rome. Able and virtuous; distinguished in war;
exceedingly beloved. In his youth he was somewhat dissipated, but after he
became emperor he showed himself eminently moderate and just.
F. Vespasian. Rose through successive ranks to be Emperor of Rome, entirely
through his own great merits as a general and as a statesman.
Tromp, Marten; famous Dutch admiral, who rose through his own merits to the
supreme command at a momentous epoch. Though he was captured in youth,
and his professional advancement thereby checked for some years, he had
become a noted admiral and a dreaded opponent of the English aet. 40. Killed
in battle aet. 56.
S. Cornelius van Tromp, celebrated Dutch admiral, who obtained that rank, on
active service, aet. 33. His professional eminence was beyond all question,
though scarcely equal to that of his father.
Turenne, Henri, Viscount de; the greatest of French generals before the time of
Napoleon. All his acts bear the impress of a truly great mind. He was clear and
comprehensive in his views, energetic in action, and above the narrow feelings
of a mere religious partisan. He was eminently pure in domestic life. He had
weak health till aet. IT. As a boy he was fond of books, and pored over the lives
of eminent warriors. He learned slowly and with difficulty, rebelled against
restraint, and showed dogged perseverance. He was very fond of athletic
exercises, and improved his health by practising them. His first opportunity of
distinction was aet. 23, on which occasion he was made “marechal du camp,”
then the next step in rank to marechal de France. He was killed by a cannon-
shot aet. 64.
F. Henri, Due de Bouillon, one of the ablest soldiers bred in the school of Henry
IV. His high rank, love of letters,
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