text:  Thus disaster generally occurs in the commencement of every war; or if by the genius of any extraordinary commander as by that of Marlborough unlooked-for success is achieved in the outset the nation is unable to follow it up; the war languishes for want of the requisite support; the enemy gets time to recover from his consternation; his danger stimulates him to greater exertions; and many long years of warfare deeply checkered with disaster and attended with an enormous expense are required to obviate the effects of previous undue pacific reduction