This happy-tempered fellow found himself gazetted into a regiment then doing duty in the Bahama Islands, and some time after his name appeared in garrison orders for immediate embarkation for the West Indies. I then lost sight of him for a time; but fate decreed that we should meet again.

There were, at that period, collected at Chatham, upwards of one thousand growing lads from the ages of sixteen to nineteen years, drafts from various corps, whom the general had judiciously selected to recruit the regiments serving in India; and on whom the experimental marching drill without arms. had been successfully practised. Their formation of column, line, and square, was perfection itself: nothing could be more correct than their movements, whether in the field or on parade; aad when arms were at length distributed, their progress. was wonderful. But it should be recollected that some of the best drill-sergeants of the British army, selected chiefly from the regiments of guards, were then employed on the Chatham staff, under the most indefatigable disciplinarian who probably ever held that command.

Having always had a taste that way, it was my daily habit after guard mounting, and the grand parade had been dismissed, to march with the squad to which I had been attached, about two hundred selected for the 71st and 72nd regiments, to the exercising ground on the eastern heights above the barracks, and there devote an hour or two to their improvement. On certain days the whole of the several squads were formed in battalion, and performed the regular evolutions of a field-day, under the word of command given by the staff-sergeant-major.

I was the only one amongst the many young subalterns of the garrison to take this trouble, to me a source of pleasure. This circumstance by some means became known to General Fox; and while bustling about in the capacity of adjutant to. the battalion, while the sergeant-major acted as my commanding officer, I was thrown into momentary confusion by the sudden appearance on our ground of the general and his aide-decamp, mounted. He gave the signal to proceed with the movements, and with his own voice gave the word of command for several evolutions, which were performed much to his satisfaction. My ears were delighted with the sounds'Very well!". Very well indeed!”—“ Don't hurry!”. "Silence!" After a variety of encouraging expressions the general retired, moving his hat most graciously as he withdrew. Such a proof of professional zeal did not escape the general's favourable notice; and although flattered by the audible remarks he made to his aide-de-camp on retiring, I felt the greatest relief by his retreat, for I was exceedingly nervous during this display of my adjutantic abilities. But I was

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agreeably surprised at next morning's parade, on being ordered to "fall out" from the head of my squad, and repair to the general, who stood before the camp-colour, surrounded by his staff, ready to receive the salute. On being presented in form, I was honoured with the appointment of acting assistant staffadjutant to the garrison, and specially attached to the battalion of East India recruits, with the usual allowance of three shillings per day. Here's promotion! thought I, as making my bow I retired to my humble post on the extreme left of his staff.

On returning to my room I found a card of invitation from the general to dine at head-quarters next day. Having dined there once before within a few days, and knowing my tour for another invitation could not regularly arrive at least under another month, I viewed this as an additional honour.

On the appearance of my appointment in general orders that afternoon, I deemed it a point of duty and gratitude to thank the general for this proof of his favour, which I did by a few pithy lines addressed to the fort-major, through whom all official communications passed. I afterwards heard that the general observed to Major Kent, when laying my letter before his chief" Now this is proper; a blockhead would have addressed his letter to me!" There never was a greater stickler for minute points of discipline and etiquette than General Fox, nor one who in his own person set a more rigid, and, I may truly add, more honourable example!

CHAPTER XIII.

'Like the green thorn of May, my fortune flowers."

I ENJOYED my new dignity for some time with increasing credit to my military character, when a message from the great man summoned me to head-quarters. "What's in the wind now?" I asked myself as I ascended his steps, almost too much bewildered to acknowledge the sentinel's "carry arms." Surely I cannot have forfeited his favour, merely by philandering about with the ladies on the terrace under his very nose, that crimson, good-humoured snub, which never yet curled at me in anger. Without knowing whether to appear before him with a pleased or a terrified look, I adopted that middle course called respectful, and entered his official parlour with profound gravity of countenance. On being ordered to sit down I felt a load taken off my breast, and was truly happy when, instead of a lecture (or, as it was termed, a "wigging,") for any levity of conduct, the general bestowed the most unqualified praise on me for my attention to my professional duties; and by way of enforcing the advantages arising from such devotion to the service, gave me, in the course of a quarter of an hour's conversation, a succinct account of his military career, from his first entrance into the army up to that moment.

He forgot, however, in detailing the items of his account current with Dame Fortune, to debut himself with the slight circumstance of his being the son of the powerful Lord Holland, Minister of State, and at one time, Secretary at War. In conclusion, he intimated to me, with a degree of kindness and condescension which made its due impression, that his friend, Major-general Mordaunt, had written to him to recommend an active young officer from those under his command, who was perfectly conversant with his duty, and wrote well, to accompany him to the West Indies as aide-de-camp.

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Now," said the general, "should the offer be agreeable to you, I have no hesitation in promising that General Mordaunt will immediately attend to that strong recommendation which I shall feel much pleasure in giving you." This was so far beyond my hopes that I felt it impossible to express the gratitude I felt.

I apologized for my hesitation, stating the true reason how

much he had overpowered me by his kindness. I instantly embraced the offer. The general stood up with his back to the fire, rolling and rubbing the knuckles of his left hand in the palm of his right, as was his fashion, and evidently wishing me to be gone. I took the hint; but, in making my bow, he kindly said, "If not better engaged, will you dine here today 2" Better engaged, indeed!-I like that! An obsequious affirmative and thankful bow closed the interview; and I left the house so elated with my good fortune, that some of my messmates, whom I met on the terrace, (and who, no doubt, observed an usual strut,) commenced quizzing me on my extraordinary state of excitement. "What the d-l's the matter with you?" cried one."I'm an aide-de-camp, you dog. I'm an aidede-camp!" said I, rubbing my hands, and absolutely grinning with ecstasy; a piece of information which failed to impart that satisfaction to some of my hearers which it inspired in myself.

My friend Chapman was still in the garrison with his regiment, and on making known to him my unexpected good fortune, he generously offered the assistance of his purse for my equipment; but although I did not require his friendly aid, I received the offer with grateful feelings. I immediately sat down to apprize my father of my fortunate advancement; but concluded with a drawback, on whatever degree of felicity he would receive by the communication, in the shape of a draft for out-fit; fortunately, no very heavy amount, as my good management of an excellent kit had left me but little wants to supply, beyond some tropical clothing, and a plain and full dress staff uniform. The former, indeed, was at that instant in hand; for, with a vanity pardonable at my age and situation, I lost not an hour in my preparation to appear in my STAFFdress before I took leave of Chatham.

A return of posts brought General Mordaunt's acceptance of my services, with an order to me to repair to join him at Southampton with all possible expedition, where the general was then engaged in selecting for West India service a brigade from the large body of foreign troops then assembled in that town and vicinity.

I now mounted my aid-de-camp's uniform, (to the great envy of many, I dare say, more meritorious subalterns,) and placed my rich and but little-worn regimentals in paper, with the hope of a saving sale.

Having taken a respectful leave of the general and all my friends at Chatham, I repaired to London, intending not to delay twenty-four hours; but at my agents I iound a letter from my father returned from Chatham by that morning's post, with an ominous black seal! I anticipated its sad contents,-my poor mother was no more! She died of dropsy, after giving

birth to twenty-one children (the last two twins!) of whom, fortunately, not above one-third survived to brave the troubles of this blustering world.

Never having been a particular favourite of hers, there did not exist between us that intensity of affection, which her indulgence had created in others of her children;-nothing beyond the pains and trouble of bringing me into the world; and of which I stood wholly guiltless. I occasioned her but little annoyance, having been placed under the care of a healthy nurse from the moment Nature afforded me strength to imbibe my nurture; and for the first four years had never been seen at home, except at the annual muster, every Christmas!

My poor mother (besides being the most homely of women in person) had all through life one of the very feeblest constitutions. Nevertheless, it is certain, that, out of the twenty-four years she endured the wedded life, she generally was nine months out of every twelve in the family way; and (as I have been told) on each occasion deploring what a "martyr she was to her duty!" I have often thought, however, (as I reached the age of reflection,) that the crown of martyrdom ought to have been accorded to my poor father.-But there's no accounting for taste!

I paid that tribute to her memory which a sense of my duty to God and her dictated, and proceeded on my worldly pilgrim-age with a chastened spirit, consoled by the reflection that my conduct had never caused her one moment's sorrow or unhappiness.

On my arrival at Southampton, I instantly repaired to my general's quarters; but the bird had flown! He had already despatched his business, and proceeded to Portsmouth that morning, leaving orders for me to follow him with the returns of the four regiments which he had that morning selected; namely, two regiments of German jagers, one of light infantry, and the regiment of Walstien. I attended the next parade of the former, the first of that description of troops I had ever seen, and was struck with delight and astonishment at their magnificent line, which consisted of not less two thousand two hundred rank and file, besides about one hundred and twenty officers.

Their dress was a light bluish-gray jacket or coatee, with broad green half-facings; striped ticken trousers, with a broad green braid down the outside seam; a black waist cartridge belt, and short tight-fitting lace buskins. The hat was round, turned up at the left side, surmounted with a tall and very full green feather, which they exchange for branches of trees when on service in the woods. Their arms were the rifte and screw-sword; the length, when fixed, placed them on an equal