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W.i^de.K H THE LIFE OF MAJOR-GENERAL JAMES WOLFE Jfownbetr 011 dDrr^rnal gotumcnfs Axn ILLUSTRATED BY HLS CORRESPONDENCE, INCrUDINO NUMEROUS UNPI^BLISHED LKTIERS CONTRIBUTED FROM THE FAMILY PAPERS OF NOBLEMEN AND GENTLEMEN, DESCENDANTS OF HLS COMPANIONS. hy ROBERT WRIGHT. "A mau but young, Yet old in jutlgnient ; theoric and practic In all humanity, and, to increase the wonder, Religious, yet a soldier."— JI/amH^ej-. LONDON . CHAPMAN AND HALL, 193, PICCADILLY. 1864. The riffhl of trimxlidian is mprrrtl. PRINTED BY JOHN KDWAED TATtOH, IITTIE QUEEN STREET, Lincoln's inn fields. VU Li. 'vAJ •] TO ADMIIUL CHARLES WARDE, K.H. OF SQUEKlilES COL-liT, WESTEliUAM, RKI'RESENTATIVE OP THE KIGIIT HON. GENERAL GEOllGE WAEDE, WOLFE'S COMPANION IN HOYHOOD, LIFE-LONG FBIENI), AND EXECUTOR, THIS WORK IS INSCRIBED, AVITn RESPECT AND GRATITUDE, liY THE AUTHOE. I'REFACK. The military ivpiitation of Kiigluiul lias never been so debased as it was at the beginning of the Seven Years' War. With the bravest soldiers in the world, exeelk-nt regimental otfieers, and a large statl' of veterans who drew the pay of CJenerals, Great Britain had not one commander ca[)al)le of leading her armies to victory. Since the time of Marlborongh she had prodnced no military genius but Clive. No other man exhibited that comprehensiveness which is the most indispensable (nul- lification of a successful General. The Duke of Cum- berland was indeed brave, but, at best, rarely fortunate ; Lord Stair was no master of strategy, and Marshal Wade's talent lay in engineering. The incapacity of Braddock, Loudoun, and Al)ercrond)ie, brought disaster after disaster upon our arms in America, while nearer home the failures which arose from the same cause were more alarming and disgraceful, if not so bloody. " I know," said Pitt, " that if any man can save Eng- land, I can," but the Great Minister's very first warlike undertaking was foiled through the inetficienry of the commanders to whom he had entrusted it. lie, however. Vlll nua'ACE. noted the exceptional conduct of a young officer, whom he raised to the rank of Brigadier-General. Nor was he mistaken, for to the zeal and ability of Wolfe the ca[)- ture of Ciipe Hreton was mainly attributable. Hitherto known only as a superior disciplinarian, Wolfe was now marked out as a leader of men, and all eyes turned hope- fully towards the " Hero of Louisbourg " as to the pro- mised restorer of Endand's military renown. Mr. Pitt was thus encouraged to give the conunand of the grandest and most perilous of his schemes to a man whose age was but two-and-thirty years, — a case without parallel in the annals of our army. When the extreme rarity of tlie highest degree of military talent, the youth of the hero, and the importance of the achievement in which he fell are considered, it is not surprising that by his con- temporaries Wolfe's death should have been regarded as little short of an apotheosis. Like a meteor he had sud-f denly burst from obscurity, and while his compatriots were rapt with wonder that England had brought forth a General, he vanished " in the blaze of his fame." But there were further grounds for the applause given to Wolfe. The peace had brought avarice, idleness, and debauchery into the army. That care for the wants, and that guardianship of the rights of the common soldier and sailor, which is now the rule in the United Services, was then the rare exception. OflRcers received bribes from connnissaries for the privilege of pillaging their men and defrauding the Government. In short, self- aggrandisement was so prevalent amongst the servants of the public, tnat the Statesman or the Connnander who was above corru[)tion, was necessarily an ol)ject of wonder PREFACE. IX and admiration. Pitt and Wolfe, therefore, were consi- dered as characters above ordinary hnmanity, not so much on account of the power and eloquence of the Mi- nister or the prowess of tiie General, as because they made the honour and welfare of their country their sole aim. "They dared," as Sir Walter Scott says, "to con- temn wealth ; the statesman and soldier of the present day would, on the contrary, not dare to })ro[)ose it to himself."* Besides, instead of an honourable rivalry, there had been a long existing jealousy between the army and navy, — a jealousy which frustrated the design of many a conjoint expedition. Military officers detested the sea- service, and were unwilling to acknowledge the ability of naval commanders. But AVolfe was eager to serve by land or by sea, and while he deplored the incapacity and indifference of his own chiefs, he openly admitted the merits of sea officers. To him is due no small share of the harmony — as novel as it was beneficial — which sub- sisted between the naval and military branches of the ex- peditions to Louisbourg and Quebec, for — " Wolfe, wlioro'ei" he fou : Life of C'lmrle> .luhiisloiio. I'UErACE. precocity ])robably iiiii(jue. \Volfe lias been deservedly styled '* the officers' friend and the soldiers' father." His integrity and intelligence caused him to be res])ected by his superiors ; his disinterestedness and the warmth of his attachments endeared him to his equals ; and his ge- nerosity and condescension won the hearts and minds of his inferiors. Withal, he was not faultless. It would not always be advisable, if it were possible, to withdraw the veil which obscures the everyday lives of many men whose names have become celebrated ; but there is no reason why the halo of Wolfe's fame should blind his fellow-mortals to the lessons that may be learned from his " battle of life" ere he acquired greatness ; nor is there any risk that the knowledge of his private histoiy will lessen his public renown, for — ■ " There is in liim, so nmoli man, so nmcli t;oo(lness, So niiich of honour, and of all thiuj^s else Which make our being excellent, that from his store He can enough lend others." The story of his life ought, therefore, to be as well calcu- lated to point a moral as that of his death is to adorn a tale. Few, very few men have accomplished so much within so short a term of life, or have given such promise of further service to his country. Had he been spared, how^ different might have been the history of the late United States ! The only so-called " Life " of Wolfe was published in the year 1760, under the following title: — "The Life of General James Wolfe, the Conqueror of Canada ; or the Eulogium of that renowned Hero, attempted according to the Rules of Eloquence, with a Monumental Inscrq)- I'REl'ACE. XI 111 of Ithe hig lip. tion, Latin and Englisli, to perpetuate his jMcinory. By ,] P , A.M." Tliis curious production occupies twenty-four quarto pages, and was published at the mo- derate price of one sliilHng. In his " Epistle Dedicatory to the i\len of Kent/' the modest autlior dechares, — " I wilUngly undertook the task, unbiassed and unasked, presuming, tiiough my abihties were far unequal to it (for an Achilles should be described by a Homer, and an Alexander painted by an Apelles), that it would meet with a favourable reception, from the novelty of the com- position, rarely attempted among us, and the excellence of the object it celebrates." One contemporary reviewer, more sparing of his paper than of J. P.'s feelings, briefly condemns the work as "a very florid, not to call it fustian eulogium ;"* while an- other, less caustic critic, damns it with faint praise, in these terms : — ■" The good design of this piece, not its eloquence, must, we think, reprieve it from too harsh a censure. There is no circumstance mentioned of the hero but wliat is well known, and the whole may be styled a preachment rather than an ornament. The author, who writes himself A.M., is not very correct in his phrase, and though he may understand the rules of eloquence, does not seem to be the most able hand at the exercise of them."t Numerous notices and characters of Wolfe app :d immediately after his death ; but they are all restricted to his historical achievements and disclose no incidents of his everyday life as a man. The most remarkable of * ' Tlu> IJrilisli Magazine,' Fobruary, ITOi*. t ' Loudou Magaziiii'.' DccombLT, 1759. ■ '■? Xll I'Rlil'ACK. tlicsc panegyrics — for they arc all eulogistic — arc Burke's in the 'Annual Register/ Smollett's in his ' History of England,' and Walpole's in the * Memoirs of the Reign of George II.' and in his ' Letters.' The only approach to a Memoir of Wolfe that has hitherto appeared, is the sketch by the Rev. G. R. Gleig, in his ' Lives of British Military Connnanders.' Mr. Gleig's original materials were very scanty, consisting of extracts from about a dozen of Wolfe's letters to his parents. It is but just to bear in mind, that the reverend author professes to treat more especially of the hero's career as a soldier ; but as Mr. Gleig has been accepted as an authority, and as nu- merous errors into which he has fallen have been followed by subsecjuent writers, it becomes necessary, at the risk of appearing invidious, to j)oint out a few of his mistakes. In spite of indisputable evidence to the contrary, he asserts that James Wolfe was born on the 6th of Novem- ber, 1720. Mr. Gleig was doubtless deceived by ima- gining that he had the testimony of Wolfe's own words in a letter supposed to have been written on the Gth of November, 175L The letter begins thus: — "The win- ter wears away, so do our years ; . . . this day am 1 five- and-twenty years of age." Unfortunately Mr. Gleig having been furnished with extracts only, it was not in his power to ascertain the true date of the letter in which these words occur ; nor does it seem to have struck him that winter could not be said to wear away when it had but just begun. Wolfe's letters frequently fill two or three sheets of paper, and almost invariably they are dated at the end. In course of time the detached sheets got intermixed, and when they came to be re-arianged — rnKFACK. Xlll or, more correctly, niis-arrangcd — the first sheet of a letter written on the 22n(l-25th of December, 1751 (2ncl-5th January, 1752, n.s.), was connected with the last sheet of another bearing date tlie Gth of November. The latter date consequently was prefixed, by the transcriber, to the extract which led Mr. Gleig astray. Next, we are told that young Wolfe embarked with his father, in 1740, for Flanders. As Flanders cannot be a misprint for Car- t/ia^cna, it nmst have been a slip of the pen ; for surely the biographer was well aware that the British troops were not sent to the Continent until 1742. Again, it is stated that Wolfe fought at Fontenov, and in 174G served with Ligonier at Liers. The author of ' The Conquest of Canada,' enlarging on a mistake of Mr. Gleig's, says that in April, 1742, Wolfe "appears to have been on leave, travelling pro- bably for health ; in this month he writes to his mother, dating Rome, a grateful and affectionate letter."* Now, in the first place, instead of being on leave of absence in April, 1742, it was in that very month that Ensign AYolfe embarked with his regiment for Flanders : consequently he could not have written from Rome. Secondly, the only letter in the domestic series dated as above was, as in- ternal evidence proves, really not written until 1743, although it is headed, ''Bonn, April 7, is.s., 1742." Ac- cording to the Old Style, the year 1743 had but just conunenced, and we know that most people are prone to use the more familiar number until they become accus- tomed to the new one. The said letter, as the reader will find, was written upon the march previous to the * ' The Coiujuost of Canndn,' vol. ii. p. '1U4.. XIV rnr.rAcn:. l)attlc of Dcttiiigcn ;* nor was it James Wolfe's, but liis brother's. It is rMiougli to add, tliat Wolfe never was in Rome. Amongst the numerous articles of which our hero is the subject, in Encyclopccdias, Biographical Dictionaries, and jMagazines, there is scarcely one, be it ever so bi'ief, that docs not abound with errors. Probably there never lias been a man concerning whom so few facts have been j)ublished, Avhose name lias been exposed to a greater nund)er of false statements, misconceptions, and wrong inferences, on the part of his biographers. It is a nuicli more agreeable duty to relate the vicissi- tudes of Wolfe's letters to his parents. Mrs. Wolfe care- fully preserved and treasured every letter that she and her husband received from their celebrated son. After her death they came into the possession of her principal executor, the Right Honourable General George Warde, from whom they descended to his nephew, another Gene- ral George Warde. In the year 1822, the Reverend Thomas Streatfeild, of Chart's Edge, near Westerham, who was then collecting materials for a History of Kent, obtained from General Warde thirteen of these letters, from which he extracted such passages as he considered adapted to his purpose, and then returned the originals. f Mr. Streatfeild not having carried out his design, these extracts were, at Earl Stanhope's (then Lord j\Iahon) re- quest, communicated to the Rev. Mr. Gleig when writing his 'Lives of British Military Commanders.' j * See page 33 of tliis volume. t Original Corresiiondence between General Warde and Mr. Streat- feild. J See Histoiy of England, etc., by Lord Malion, vol. iv. p. 225. iMirj'ArK w .«*^.' Ill tlic iii(>antiiiic — about 18.:27 — Cliarlos llampcU'ii Turner, Esq., of l^ook's Nest, near Godstone, borrowed such of the Wolfe })apcrs as were then in the possession of the AVardc family, with the intention of lending tliein to Mr. Southey, who contemplnted contributing a * Life of Wolfe ' to ■Murray's ' i^'aniily Library.' Southey, be- ing unable to procure sufficient materials, abandoned liis purpose.* It is believed that he returned the letters to Mr. Turner ; but, after several inquiries and diligent search, they could not be found, and their owner lost all trace of them for years. At length, in 1858, when the manuscript collection .and other literary effects of the late Dawson Turner, Esq., of Yarmouth, were advertised for sale by Messrs. Puttick and Simpson, the military com- missions of Lieut. -General Edward Wolfe, and those of his son Major-General James Wolfe, together with the letters of the latter, formed lots 531 and 53:2 in the auctioneers' catalogue. Admiral Warde, to whom, after the death of his father, the property belonged, imme- diately wrote to Mr. Turner's executor, and in conse- quence of his claim all the Wolfe papers were withdrawn from sale. After a friendly investigation into the circumstances of the case, the commissions and letters were eventually restored to their proprietor. ]\Ir. Dawson Turner had likewise collected several additional letters and other manuscripts illustrative of Wolfe's life. These he had tat- * See ' Life and Letter.^ of Robert Soutlicy,' vol. v. p. 307. Soiilliey's ])ro])Ose(l work has been more tliaii once spoken of as if it were pub- lished ; and an anticipatory review of it, by Cln'istoi)her ]Vorth, a])- peared in ' Bhackwood's Magazine/ November, 182(5. XVI PRKrAfE. 1)01111(1 lip into a folio, entitled ' Wolfinna.' This volnnic and another consisting of transcripts were gcncronsly presented to Admiral Warde by Mr. Tni'ner's represen- tatives, who considered that the whole collection onght not to be separated. Throngh the friendly intervention of ]\Ir. Hawkins, Admiral Wardc gave me access to all of these manuscripts during my first visit to AVcs- terham, and afterwards allowed mc to carry them to London, and keep them long enough to copy, or other- wise use, at my own discretion, those papers which form the foundation of this biography. Consid(;ring the pre- vious mischances of the highly prized family treasure, this mark of the Admiral's confidence calls for my spe- cial acknowledgment. The domestic series of Wolfe's letters — about 210 in number — having been bound together in a thick quarto volume, without regard to their correct arrangement, the task of determining their true consecutive order was much more tedious and laborious than can readily be conceived. The difficulty arising from the circumstance of several hitters occupying two or three detached sheets, dated only upon the last, has been already alluded to ; it may be added, however, that Wolfe generally wound up a paragraph at the end of each sheet, and started on a fresh topic with the next, so as not to leave what actors call a " cue." It was therefore necessary to make abs- tracts of the contents — no matter how^ trifling — of ench sheet, and compare them one with another. For in- stance, in the sheet which was supposed to be the first of the letter written on the ^^th of November, 1751 W^olfe says : — " I have writ to my father by the k/sf po.9/, rilF.l'ACK. XVll to ^ei'.iUy my friend Charles's mistake." Now, as the correction of the mistake is contained in a letter of the 13th of Dcccnd)er, it l)ccame evident tliat the sheet in which the foregoing passage occnrs nnist belong to a letter posterior to the latter date ; and npon fnrthcr in- vestigation it was conclusively found to have been written on the 22nd of I)eceml)er, 1 1')!. This will sntfice for an example of numerous similar cases. But more serious obstacles, arisinii: out of the altera- tion of the Style, sti" remamed to be encountered. Al- though every one is aware that j)revious to 17.") -2 the new year did not legally begin until the 25th of March, it does not follow that when one meets with an old [)ai)er dated, suj)pose, the 1st of j\Iay, 1750, it would be re- collected that the said })aper was written ten months /jc- fore another document bearing date the 1st of March, 1750. It is renuu'kable that the fact thus exemplified escaped even the penetration of Southey. This assertion is corroborated by a letter to Robert Chambers, Esq., wherein Southey says that Wolfe's " earliest letter from Scotland is dated January, 1749;"''- whereas, in fact, he had had at least a dozen of Wolfe's letters in his possession, written from Glasgow several months before the one he speaks of. It might be supposed that once aware of the change in the style, the rest would be plain sailing ; but then the question had to be considered which style — old or new — was followed, for although the latter did not become the law of the land luitil September, 1752, it had been to some extent practically anticipated ; and, on the other hand, so habituated were * See ' The Book of Days," vol. i. p. IW. (Januai-y 2.) XVlll 1'11EFA( K. nuiny pcrsous to the old custom, that they coukl not for- get it for years.* Tlius Wolfe dates a letter "January 21, 1757," wliich could not possilily have been written before .laiuiary, 17'")8. Wolfe's letters to his father and mother, however va- luable as elucidatory of his i)rivate character and of his conduct as a subordinate ollicer, do not, as Southcy found, supply materials for a complete memoir. They become less frccpicnt as the interest of his career in- creases, and throw no light upon the last and most eventful epoch of his life. But hap})ily I have been fa- voured with other letters and pa])ers which countervail their deficiency. The discovery also, in the year 1849, of a ])acket of Wolfe's letters to his early companion in arms and intimate friend, Colonel llickson, has mate- rially added to the biography of the hero. The late Thomas Ferguson, Esq., of Glasgow, who was related to Rickson, possessed for about forty years an old military chest formerly the i)roperty of the Colonel. As it was supposed to contain only useless papers, it remained un- cared for ; but the key having been broken in the rusty lock, the contents fortunately were preserved from dis- persion and loss. After the death of this gentleman, the old chest came into the possession of the late William Robertson, Esq., of Rosebank, Partick, whose widow is the niece of Mrs. Rickson. On breaking it open, it was found to be filled with army reports and other like do- cuments, and in a corner, carefully tied up by themselves was discovered a packet of letters bearing the signature w * To increase the confusion, sometimes llie clay of tlie month is in one Style, and the year in juiother, without any notification. 1 PUKFACK. MX not for- Jiiuuary written ever va- d of his SoutUcy r. Tlu^y career in- vud most 2 been fu- ountervail ■car 1849, I pan ion in lias niate- Thc late related to Id military As it was iiained un- II the rusty from dis- leman, tlic tc William ic widow is Dpcn, it was ler like do- themselves ic signature 10 nioutli is in tiou. " James Wolfe." Mr. Kohcrtson lent the letters tluis disclosed to liis friend John l)uehanan, l']s(|., of (ilasnow, who lirst published them, with a biographical sketch, in * Tait's Magazine* for 1S41), and reprinted them in a work of much local interest, but not intended for general cir- culation, entitled 'Glasgow, Past and Present.' (1850.) The originals were, in 18()2, presented by Mrs. Robert- son, through Mr. Puchanan, to the Anticpuirian Society of Scotland, in wliose museum at Edinburgh thev are deposited. These letters exhibit the tone and bent of Wolfe's mind even more fully than do those to his pa- rents. Written as they were without premeditation or reserve, to a brother-officer in whom he confided, and of whose character and abilities he entertained the high- est opinion, they afford access to their writer's inmost thoughts on matters of public as well as of private in- terest, and at the same time show the sincerity and warmth of his friendshij). The hitherto unpublished corresi)ondencc between General Amherst and Wolfe during the siege of Louis- bourg, the originals of which were kindly entrusted to me by the Right Hon. Earl Amherst, together with let- ters written by General jMurray, Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Murray, and other officers, still further add to the knowledge of events in which Wolfe was concerned towards the end of his life. The collection of ' Wolfi- ana ' made by ]\Ir. Dawson Turner, likewise abundantly illustrates the same and a subsequent period. The publication of the Chatham and Bedford Correspond- ences disclosed some important particulars ; and the in- quiries of Mr. Buchanan and other correspondents of h 2 XX IMUa'ACK. 'Notes niul QiK'i'io,' drew forth adcIitioM.'il items of iii- foniuitioii. It is [ji'ihaps but right to mention the eireumstimees tliiit led mo to undertake the "lahour of love " of which tliis hook is the issue. During u resicK'nee in (>aniuh>, some years ago, 1 became! ac(|uainte(l with a eiti/en of Quebec who, with much general as well as local know- ledge, felt interested in everything appertaining to tin; Concpieror of ('anada ; and after several excursions in the neighbourhood I became familiar with the scene " where breathed the gale that caught Wolfe's happiest sigh." Subse(|uently, in America and at home, I noted whatever fell in my way connected with the subject, atid my notes having aceunndated, I was induced to seek for further information in old magazines, newspapers, ga- zettes, military records, etc. At length I found that 1 liad collected materials for a fuller and more accurate account of Wolfe's career tlian any that had ap[)earc(l, and the idea of compiling a memoir suggested itself. But thinking it probable that much original matter still remained to be discovered, 1 began to trace it, and fol- lowed the pursuit until, as I fancy, the field was quite gleaned. I have been careful not to write beyond my know- ledge, and the few inferences I have drawn, are given as such, to be accepted or rejected at the reader's oj)tion. As to the manner in which I have arnrnged the abun- dant materials at my command it is not for me to speak further than to observe, that I have thought it advisable as far as possible to allow the hero to tell his own story. It may not, however, be amiss to warn those who peruse 1 nn:rA( K. XXI IS of iii- ustuncoH ;)f which Canada, iti/c'ii ol' il kiiow- tr to liu) rsions in lu! sccno liappicst :, 1 noted iject, and D seek foi" \pcvs, ga- ud that 1 accnrato appeared, ed itself. >ttei' still and fol- was (piitc ny know- are given 's option, the abun- li to speak advisable \vn story. ho peruse the following pages that a biography so narrated should he read in a very ditlerent spirit from that whieh ought lo <:nide tlu; reader of im antobiou;ra|)hv or n dinrv, for iis these are written with deliberation and reserve, wc seldom liiid the whole truth stated; whereas private letters demand allowaut for the inipnlsivi! expression of thonghfs and opinions which the w•riter^^ nnitured rellection wouhl not always snpport. Let it then be re- niend)ere(l that, th(? ollieial (Hspatches excepted, not a single letter in this vohune was penned with the remotest idea of publicity. It may not be needless to explain that ill the Index, where, under Wolfe's name, I have grouped together various references, as, for instance, " On Con- tentment," and such-like subjects, it is not with the idea of setting him up as a philosoi)lier, but merely to show the scope and tendency of his mind. I would likewise hint that W'oli'e ought not to be judged by isolated ex- |)iessions, but by the general tenor and spirit of his cor- respondence. It remains only for nic gratefully to acknowledge the kindness and consideration with which those noblemen and gentlemen from whom I sought information have responded to my applications. It is impossible to par- ticnlarizc all the channels through which I have received contributions ; I must therefore content myself by ex- pressing my great obligations, and returning my "ucere thanks to : — the Right lion. Earl Andierst ; the Right lion. Lord Elibank ; the Right Hon, T. Sotherou-Est- conrt, j\I.P. ; the Hon. Richard Carletou; the Vene- rable Archdeacon AVilkins ; Sir Erederic Madden ; Ad- miral Wardc, K.IL; Mrs. Murray, Roseanna, Athlonc; XXll PREFACE. Lady O'Doimell ; James AVolfc ^lurray, Esq. ; Edward Hawkins, jun., Esq. ; AV. C. Strcatfeild, Esq., Cliart's Edge; Thomas Board, Esq., Westerham; John Bucha- nan, Esq., Glasgow ; Robert Carruthers, Esq., Inver- ness ; Thomas Keightley, Esq., Lesness Heath; Robert Cole, Esq., E.S.A.; G. Moffatt, Esq., M.P.; J. H. An- dcrdon. Esq,; and John Young, Esq., Blackheath. R. W. March 28, 18G4. Edward Chart's Buclm- , Inver- Robert H. An- il. L W. CONTENTS. CIIAPTEE I. WESTEEHAM.— GlIEEXWICH. 1727-1712. Old English families iii Ireland.— Tlio Woulfes of Limoriclc— Friar Francis and Captain George Woulfe.— Edward Wolfe's early Services.— .Airs. Wolfe's lineage.— Birth of James Wolfe. — Qnebec House.— The Village School.— The first Friendship.— Wcsterham. — Wolfe's Brother. — War with Spain. — Colonel Wolfe removes to Greenwich.— A'ernon's A'ietor}^— The young A^olunteer.— His first Letter from Camp.— His return.— Expe- dition to Carthagcna.— Young W^olfe goes back to School.— John Jervis.— Wolfe's first Commission.— The Marines.—Con- dition of the English Army Pnjje CIIAPTEE II. GIIENT.-ASCIIAFFENBFEG. 1742-1713. JJevicwon Blackheath.— The Ensign of Duroure's.—:\rilitary Cos- tume.— Embarkation for Flanders.— Our Allies.— Ghent.— On the March.— Advaiitage of Latin.— Illiterate Ollicers.- Frank- fort.— Camp at Aschaflenburg. -Arrival of the King._A youth- ful Adjutant 29 XXIV CONTENTS. CllAPTEK III. CAMPAIGNS. 1713-1715. Situation of the Allies. — Tlie Battle of Dettingen. — Wolfe's Ee- port of tlie Yiftory. — ^Mcrited Promotion. — Camp at Worms. — ' Dcttintjcn Te Deum.' — Fraternal Correspondence, — Wolfe ob- tains a Company. — Campait^n of 1711. — Death of the " Old Sol- dier." — His Cliaraeter. — Preparing for higher Duties. — The Siege of Tournay. — Battle of Fonteuoy. — Troubles at Home Page 40 CllAPTEK IV. NEWCASTLE.— FALKIEK.—CULLODE:s\- LONDON. 1715-1716. Landing of Prince Charles. — Cope's Generalship. — Brigade-Major Wolfe and his Father. — Wade's Perj)lexity. — General Hawley. — Battle of Falkirk. — The Duke of Cumberland in Aberdeen. — Mrs. Gordon's Grievances. — Pui'suit of the Jlebels. — Battle of CuUoden. — A doubtful Story. — Eejoicings in London. — Camp at Fort Augustus. — Inversnaid 68 CHAPTER V. CONTINENTAL CAMPAIGNS.— LONDON. 1717-174S. The London Season. — Old Burlington Street. — "Circumlocution." — Progress of the War. — Battle of Laffeldt. — Wolfe's Conduct commended. — Old Eoland. — Siege of Maestricht. — Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. — Camp Life. — l^esult of the War. — Celebration of Peace. — First Love 93 CHAPTER VI. STIRLING.— GLASGOW. FEBErAEY — October, 1719. Civilization in Scotland. — General Wade's Kcport on the High- lands. — Eebelliou Statutes. — AVolfe conuuauds the Twentieth. — CONTENTS. XXV Page His Regimental Orders.-Old Stirling.— ^fiss Lawson.— Glas gow Society.— Military Life.— Caiulaehie.—Eoacl-making.-In- citlents.— Scotch climate.— Matlieraatios.— Lord Tyrawley.— A dreadful lutcrval.— Military Morals m CHAPTEK VII. PEllTH. K'ovEMBEE, ] 719— September, 1750. Perth.— ]\ranners and Customs.— Unrequited Love.— Wolfe ob- tains Lieutenant-Colonelcy.— Earthqualfcs in ICngland.— Grati- tudc and Loyalty.— As])irations.— Filial Piety.— Lord Bury's Visit. — Condition of the Highlands. —Lady Gleuorchy.- Gcorgc Warde.— Vaubrugh Castle 139 CIIAPTEE VIII. DUNDEE.-LOXDON.— BANFF. October, 1750— September, 1751. Colonel's Perquisites.— Settlement of Nova Scotia.— Leave of Ab- sencc.— Litein London.— Immorality of the Age.— Banff'.— Con- trition.— Perseverance in Friendship.- The new Colony.— Mr. Pelham in Parliament.— Highland Companies.— Begcncy Act.— General Wolfe's House on Blackheath. - Old Westminster Bridge.— A military Parent.— A faithful Servant 153 CHAPTEE IX. INVERNESS. October, 1751— May, 1752. The Highland Capital.— DisaiTected Inhabitants.— Fort George.— Retrospect of Culloden.— Old Inverness.— Highland Mail.— State Lotteries.— Birthday Thoughts.— Fort AViUiara.— Reli- gious OiUcers.— Highland Highways.— Culloden House.— Wolfe XXVI CONTENTS. Pago under Ecstraint. — Anecdote of Lord Bury. — A singular General. — Wolfe's Conduct in the Ilii^lilands. — Effects of the EebcUion Statutes . 176 CHAPTEK X. FOllT AUGUSTUS.— DUBLIN.— BLACKHEATH. May — SiiPTEMBEE, 1752. Loeli Ness side. — A Highland Murder. — Rutliven. — Military- Posts in the Highlands. — Otllcei's' Keports on the Condition of the Country. — Soldiers and Servants. — Portpatrick. — Donagha- dee. — Posting in Ireland. — The Battle of the Boyne. — The Con- dition of Ireland.— Major Walter Wolfe.— The City of Dublin. —New Stylo 209 CHAPTEE XI, PAEIS. October, 1752— March, 1753. England and France. — Wolfe's Journej' to Paris. — The Opera and Theatre. — Madame dc Pompadour. — Philip Stanhope. — The British Ambassador. — Jesuits and Jansenists. — The Duke of liichmond. — I'^nibrellas. — French and English Manners. — Eoyal Tutors. — New Year's Day at Versailles. — The Pretender. — Wolfe presented to Louis XV. — Bishop Berkeley and Marshal Saxe. — The End of an old Story. — Proposed Visit to foreign Camps. — High Life in Paris. — The Lieut. -Colonel ordered Home. — Female Correspondents 234 CHAPTER XII. GLASGOW.— BEADING. April — November, 1753. Military Education. — Wolfe's Journey to Scotland. — A wretched Eegiment. — Horsemanship. — The beautiful Duchess of Hamil- ton. — Loch Lomond. — Military Eoads. — A ticklish Temper. — County Constabulary. — Departure from Scotland. — Civilization through Soldiers. — Carlisle Castle. — English and Scotch Peasan- try.— Warwick. — Military Immorality. — Effects of Debauchery 202 Page 176 ■i CONTENTS. xxvu ClIAPTEll XIII. DOVER.-EXETEK. NovEMBEU, 175.3 — March, 1755. Pago Pover Castle. — Tea. — Tlie Castle liauntccl. — An ungallant Gar- rison. — Cousin Goldsmith. — Greedy Courtiers. — Game Laws. — Courts-iMartial. — Sittiniibourne. — Cross Koads. — Freefolk. — Ba- singstoke llaces. — The City of P^xeter. — West of England Jaco- bites. — Dancing. — The Mayor of Exeter. — Card Playing. — 111 Health and Dejection. — Uncle "Walter. — Patriotism. — Dogs.— Wolfe and Nelson. — Perseverance in Friendship. — The Defence of the Highlands. — The Governor of Fort Augustus .... 280 209 CHAPTER XIV. WINCHESTEE.— SOUTHAMPTON.— CANTEEBURY. Maech, 1755— May, 175G. The Colonelcy of the Twentieth. — The Fleet at Portsmouth.— Braddock's Ex])edition. — Indian Affairs. — Wolfe as a Son and a Soldier. — A Visit to poor llelations. — Disaster at Fort Duquesne. — Filial Affection. — Watching for War. — Invasion Panic. — Dan- gerous Distinction. — Men of Kent. — Dunkirk Hai'bour. — Can- tcrbui'y Quarters. — Signs of War. — Colonel Amherst. — Unfor- tunate Ensigns. — Heavy Hearts 314 234. CHAPTER XV. DEVIZES.— STROUD.— CIRENCESTER. June, 1750— Maecii, 1757. The Condition of England. — Siege of St. Philip's. — Wolfe in De- vizes. — The King of Prussia. — Spanish Policy. — Studies for young Officers. — Famous Warriors. — Admiral Byng. — Camp at Shroton. — The Hessians in England. — Riots in Gloucestershire. — Wolfe's Foster-Brothers. — DistrcsEod Weavers. — Gloucester- shire Scenery. — Peculiarity of Wolfe's Disposition. — Loss of Minorca. — The Duke of Bedford's Patronage. — Wolfe's Irish Appointment. — A tedious Ceremony 337 .XXVIll CONTENTS. C 11 A ITER XV[. CAMr.— ISLE OF WIGJLT.— COAST OF FEAXCE. ArRlL — SKl'TICMIiEK, 17o7. Pngp Beginning of tlic Seven Years' War. — Increase of the English Army. — Iliglilancl Regiments. — Public Discontent. — Pitt Prime IVrinister. — Camp on Bradford Heath. — State of the Army. — Condition of France. — Pitt's warlike Preparations. — Expedition against liochefort. — l''ngland's .M ilitary Commanders. — Depar- ture of the Fleet. — AVolfe at Sea. — Mis lleport of Proceed- ings. — Proposes bold Pleasures, — Councils of War. — Discord between Land and Sea Ollicers. — Failure of the Expedition. — V.'olfe's return 303 CllAPTEU XV^IT. BLACKJIEATIL— LONDOX.— BATH. OcTOBKU — Dkcembku, 1757. National Disappointment. — Pitt's Speech on the late Fadure. — Wolfe in Eetirement. — His Epitome of the Expedition. — Itis Vexation. — llewarded with the rank of C'ljlonel. — The Com- mander-in-chief. — Wolfe ])rofits by his ]*]xperience. — Inquiry into the Cause of the Failure. — Wolfe's Evidence. — Mis Conduct approved of — Letter to one of his Captains. — The Prince of Wales pleased with Wolfe's Discijjline. — The War in America. — Loudoun's and Holbornc's Expedition against Louisbourg . 389 CHAPTER XVIII. LONDON.— POliTSMOUTIL— HALIFAX, N.S. Januaky — Febkuart, 1758. Success of the French Arms in America. — Pitt's Scheme for Ame- rican Campai;;n. — His Selection of Generals. — Wolfe's rapid Journey. — His Outfits. — Brigadier-General. — Resigns his Irish Appointment. — His Disinterestedness. — Lord George Sackville. — Immorality in Portsmouth. — Wolfe's A])preeiation of JNIerit. — Patronizes Barre. — Arranges his Private Aflairs. — Sails from Portsmouth. — Plymouth Sound. — Warlike Preparations at Ha- lifax. — Lord Howe 406 CONTENTS. XXIX Page . 3(53 ClLVrTER XIX. THE CONQUEST OF CAPE imETOX. JrNr: — Octobek, 17oS. Expedition anaiust Louisbourff. — The Island of Cape Breton.- Frcni'h DefcMU'cs. — The Landinu;. — Wolfo drives the Enemy into Louisboui'i^. — Seizes Li:,dithoiise Point. — His I)is])()sitions. . — Ereets batteries. — Annoys tin' Freneh Fleet. — Silences the Is- land Jiattery. — ]\Iakcs approaches to the Town. — Ilis vigorous Pro('eedin<;s. — Destroys the Citadel. — Surrender of Louisbourj^. — Wolfe visits the Town. — Aupointod Colonel of the 67th J{et{iinent. — Criticizes the Conduct of the Siege. — J)eath of Lord Howe. — Wolfe's Eagerness to attack (^nebec. — Amherst's 0])i- nion of Wolfe's Ability. — The Destiny of America. — Wolfe and Hardy in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. — Wolfe's JJeport and Ad- vice. — Cause of the Success. — CJeneral Eesult of the American Campaign TllRO 427 389 Cir.VPTEK XX. SALISBURY.— BATH.— LOXDOX. November, 175H — Febuuaky, 17-59. England's IMilitary Reputation revived. — Wolfe's Return to Eng- land. — His Readiness to serve again. — Ilis Criticism on tlio late Campaign. — The 20tli Regiment. — Discipline of Wolfe's Regi- ment. — Wolfe appointed to command the Expedition against Quebec. — His Betrothal to Miss Lowther. — His Selection of Of- ficers. — Anecdote of Mr. Pitt and the King.— Wolfe's Interview with the Secretary at War. — Ilis Patronage of meritorious Of- ficers. — His last Interview with Mr. Pitt. — His farewell Letter to his Mother 401 sh e. it. m a- 406 I CHAPTER XXI. EXPEDITION TO TIIi: ST. LAWRENCE. FEiiKUAitv — June, 1759. The ]\rinister's Designs. — Wolfe sails with Admiral Saunders. — His first Dispatch. — His Father's Death. — English and French Forces in America. — A\'olfe"s Preconceptions. — His Reviews at Louisbourg. — His Stall' Olficcrs. — Harmony between the Navy XXX CONTENTS. Pago and the Army. — Oovcrnoi* Whitmoro. — The Fk^et in the St. Lawnnu'c. — Diilujultii's of the Xavij^fation. — Arrival ofl' the Isle of Orleans. — The En;,'Iish Army lands. — Wolfe reconnoitres the Enemy. — Montcalm's Camp. — A false Alarm. — Fire Shij)8. — AVolfe takes Possession of Point Levi. — His Proclamation to the Canadians 401 CIIAPTEE XXII. BANKS OF THE ST. LAWEENCE. July — August, 1759. The Condition of Canada. — Colonial Aristocracy. — Corrupt Ofli- cials. — The Habitans. — The Governor-General's Appeal. — Mont- calm. — His Preparations. — Attempt to dislodge the Tuvadcrs. — Wolfe's Address to his Army. — Encamps near the Enemy. — En- deavoui's to draw Montcalm from his Entrenchments. — His Acti- vity and Watchfulness. — Ilis Messages to Montcalm. — His Bat- teries against the Town. — Attempt to burn the English Fleet. — Eepulse at Montmoi-enci. — Wolfe's Illness and Dejection. — Communicates his Plans to the Brigadiers. — Their Beply. — Wolfe's Letter to Admiral Saunders. — His last Letter to his Mother . )19 CHAPTER XXIII. ABOVE QUEBEC— HEIGHTS OF ABRAHAM. Septembek 1-13, 1759. W^olfe's Difficulties. — His Perseverance. — Townshend, Monckton, and Murray. — Wolfe removes his Camp. — His last Dispatch. — The Heights of Abraham. — City of Quebec. — The English Army in the Upper River. — Wolfe's last General Orders. — His Inter- view with Jervis. — The Midnight Descent. — W^olfe's Cove.— The Heights gained. — Montcalm surprised. — Wolfe's Order of Battle. — Montcalm's Dispositions. — Intrepidity of the English Soldiery. — Wolfe's Wounds. — Montcalm's fruitles' Efi'orts. — His Fall. — "NVolfe carried to the Rear. — Townshend assumes the Command. — Wolfe's last Moments. — Ilis Message to Colonel Burton.— Ilis Death 554 10 St. L' Islo C8 the ij)S, — on to 'ago 491 CONTENTS. CONCLUSIOX XXXI Pngo Tlie Battle of Quebec. --:\ront<-nlm's Opinion of tlic British Troops. — Killed and Wounded. — .Aronti-ahn's Death.— Eng- land's " Mourning Trimnph."— Landing of Wolfe's Hemains at Portsraoulh.- Funeral Honours.- Mrs. Wolfe and IMiss Low- ther.— Pitt's Panegyrie.— Monuments.- Komney's and AVest's Pictures of Wolfe's JJeath.— Portrails.-Medals and ilelics.— ]\Irs. AVolfe's Correspondence with Pitt.— Ingratitude of the Government.-Mrs. Wolfe's Death.-Ker Will.— Tonnshend's Conduct and Character.- Wolfe misunderstood by Contempo- rary Historians.— His Ability as a Geueral.-His Character . 588 0(11- lont- TS.— -En- Acti- Bat- "leet. )n. — ly— ) his . . 519 [. :tou, h.— rmy iter- e. — r of flish s. — the Diiel 551 THE LIFE or GENERAL WOLFE. CHAPTER I. WESTEJUIAM.-GKKENWTCII. 1727-1742. 1 i f ''M Ireland as the scene of agrarian ontragcs, faction fights, and political agitations, is familiar enough to us; but it is not so commonly known that Ireland a few centuries ago was the asylum of many a good old English family, whose scions there retrieved their fallen fortunes. Besides Spenser, Raleigh, and other men of mark to whom large tracts of land were assigned by Elizabeth and the first James, not a few forsook their ancestral homes with hopes of bettering their conJIiion in the Emerald Isle. Amongst these adventurers were some of the Goldsmiths, the Seymours, and the Wolfes, all of whom settled in the western counties of Limerick and Clare. Of the Seymours, who were no less remark- able for their sudden fall than for the splendour they had attained, the three grandsons of Sir Henry Seymour of . ) i "t T.TFK, or WOT.IK. \\'o!ri' I lull, who was knighted iit thu coronation of liis nc- plu.'W King Mdward VI., fdirnatcd their paternal property, and, attracted possibly hy Iheii' aflinity to the W'olfes,'*' est;d)lished theniselvcs in the same neighhonrhood. The precise time when a branch of the Wolfes — who seem to have been of Welsh extraction — migrated to Ireland docs not appciu*, Dnring the sixteenth centnry, however, they accpiired landed estates and considei'able iiillniMice. In KIO."), a .lames Wonlfe was one of the bailitl's of Limerick, and in KM 3 a shcrift' named George Woidfe, together with his colleague and the mayor, were deposed for refusing to take the oath of supremacy. This George Woulfe is said to have been the grandfather of his namesake the proscribed captain, of whom we shall j)resently speak. f Like all English settlers beyond "the ])ale," the \Voul(''3S became in time " more Irish than the Irish." Consequently, it is not surprising to find that during the wars of the Connnonwealth, when the Duke of Ormond was anxious to defend the city of Limerick af>;ainst the assault of Cromwell's armv, he was thwarted by one Francis Woulfe, head of the order of F'ranciscan friars. The Duke, on his arrivid in February, 1050, urged upon the citizens the necessity of their receiving a garrison from his forces, as well for their own security * Sir ITenry Seymour married BarLara, daughter of jNIorgau "Wolfo, Esq., Avlio is not to l)o confounded with the goldsmith to Henry "\MII., whoso name was Plielppe, alias "Wolfe. (Collectanea Topographica et Geuealogica, vol. v. p. 22 ; Burke's ' Landed Gentry,' cd. 1850, p. 1218.) t See article by " J. 11.," of Cork, who gives the late Lord Chief Baron Wolfe as his autlKn-ity for the consanguinity, in ' Notes and Queries,' vol. v. (1852), p. 280. The Chief Baron, Lord Kilwarden, and the liev. Cliarles Wolfe, author of the poem ^n the "Burial of Sir John Mooi'c," have distinguished the stock that rem aned in Ireland. ir:>7~i-'.] VVESTEUIIAM. — GIIKKNWKJII. of his nc- I property, • Wolfcs/^ 00(1. ill'us — who ignited to h century, iiisi(U'riil)U; )iic of tlic ed George fiyor, were acy. This d father of 1 we shall lyond "the 1 than the » find that the Duke Linicrick thwarted raneiscan ny, 1050, receiving n security ;,'au "Wolfe, ciiry VIII., Uraphica ct 0, p. 1218.) Lord Chief Notes and warden, and of Sir John ind. ns for the [)re.s('rvation of the kingdom; but they re- jected his proposal, — a course which Orinond attributed to the intrigues of the prii-sts, who exulted in his mis- fortune. The bishops and nobles at length persuaded tiie lower ranks of clergy and laity to permit a gar- rison to be (|nartcrcd ontsiih; the walls; but when the Duke of ()iin*>n(l himself would have entered the city, it was found that Friar Woulfe with his faction, having forced the keys from the sherill', had seized the giites and guarded them against him. When eventually some degree of oi'der had been restored, the Duke was invited into the city, but he refused to venture into a place where the power of a Franciscan fi'iar was above both eccle- siastical and civic authoritv. lie therefore left the citv to its fate, and retired to France. In the following year Limerick was b'^sicged by Ireton, and obliged to ca})itMlate, when, by the terms of capitu- lation, the lives and properties of the citizens were se- cured, with the exception of twenty individuals " who had opposed and restrained the deluded i)eople from ac- cepting the conditions so often ofiered to them." Amongst the pro.scribed were the Friar and his brother Captain Tieorge Woulfe.* The garrison, after laying down their arms, evacuated the city, and, according to Ludlow, who Avas one of Ireton's officers, many on their way out dropped dead of the plague. The chief delinquents were immediately executed, one of the sufferers being Friar Francis; but his more fortunate brother succeeded in making a timely escape. * It is curious to find the reputed ;j:>M>at-grandfather3 of Wolfe and Burke acting in the same scene. See Macknight's ' Life and Times of Edmund Burke,' vol. i. p. 5. B 2 •t LIFE OF WOLFE. Captain George Woulfe, some years later, married and settled in the North of England, at the same time adopt- ino: the reformed faith and erasino; the u from his name.* Wc have no further account of the Captain's career, but the authority upon which the above details are founded assures us that Edward Wolfe — the father of the subject of this memoir — was his grandson. f Edward Wolfe was born in 1GS5. In his sixteenth year — the first of Queen Anne's reign — he entered her Majesty's service as second lieutenant of Marines, under the command of Viscount Shannon, t Three vears after- wards he became a captain in Sir Richard Temple's regiment of foot, and in the year 1708 was brigade- major of the army in the Low Countries commanded by Marlborough. He was engaged in active service on the Continent until the peace of Utrecht, in 1713, and during the rebellion of 1715 served under Wade in Scotland. His commission as Lieutenant-Colonel bears date July 10th, 1717, and is distinguished from the others in being counter- signed "J. Addison." Edward Wolfe's merit * In like manner the Gofddsraitlis and other ftimilies discarded the superfluous letter from their names. t 'The History of Limerick,' by J. Ferrar, Limerick, 1787. It woxdd certainly have been more satisfactory had the local historian ^iven the connecting link between Captain "Woulfe and his grandson. No trace of the latter's father can now, probablj', ever be discovered. I do not hesitate, however, to adopt Ferrar's account of Wolfe's ancestry, as it has never been disputed, though there were many persons living who were well acquainted with the family when it was published ; and, as will appear further on, James Wolfe had first cousins by his father's side who resided in the same locality. X The original commission, signed by Queen Anne, and dated St. James's, 10th March, VtO\, and fourteen others of Lieut. -General Ed- ward Wolfe's, together with eleven of his sou's, are in the possession of Admiral Wardo, at Squerries. :% 1727-^^.] WKSTEIIIIAM. — GREENWICH, •ic(l and 3 adopt- namc* ccr, but founded ; subject ixteenth crcd her s, under irs after- Pcm pic's brigadc- nded by e on the I during Scotland, ite July in being 's merit warded the 1787. It historiau frrandson. jvcred. I i ancestry, ons living ublisbed ; ins by his dated St. jneral Ed- sscssion of as an officer must have been great, for it is rare to find so rapid a rise in the profession of arms in those days, when family influence and political interest were the chief levers ; and he possessed neither one nor the other. As the peaceful policy of Cardinal Fleury and of Sir Robert Walpolc caused almost a total cessation of war- fare during the reign of George I., there was little scope for the exercise of military ability. Lieut. -Colonel Wolfe therefore thought it was time to settle down for life, and accordingly married Henrietta, daughter of Edward Thompson, Esq., of Marsdcn, in Yorkshire.* Mrs. Wolfe was descended on her mother's side from the an- cient family of Tindal, at Brotherton, in that county. f Some time after their marriai!;e the Lieutenant-Colonel and his wife established themselves in AA^esterham, Kent, where, at the Vicarage, on January :2, 1727 (n.s.), their son James was born j | and on the 11th of the same month, as the parish register records, was baptized. The city of York long disputed with the Kentish village for the honour of being tlie birthplace of James Wolfe ; but all trustworthy evidence is, we may see, in favour of the latter.'^ Besides the church register, there exists in Westerham a tradition in support of the highly- prized local right. The Rev. Richard Board, who died in 1859, aged ninety-six, and who had been for sixty-seven years Vicar of Westerham, has fre(piently been heard to say that he knew severid inhabitants who perfectly * Burke's 'Landed Gentry,' ed. 1850, p. 1389. t See IS'ichols's 'Literary Anecdotes,' vol. ix. p. 30-1. X Or, according to the Old Style, December 22nd, 172G. § See ' Public Advertiser,' October 27, 1751) ; ' Scots' Magazine,' 1751), p. 55'1, etc. LIFE OF WOLFE. renicnibcrcd tlie event, and " stated positively that the General's father and mother were living at the Vicarage at the time of his birth."* The room may still be seen, and the bed was preserved by the late General Warde.f At the time of their celebrated son's birth, the Lieute- nant-Colonel was in the forty-third year of his age, and Mrs. Wolfe in her twenty-fourth. Soon afterwards they quitted the Vicarag : which had been rented from the Rev. George Lewis, and removed to a larger house still standing, — a low square mansion situated in a hollow at the foot of the hill down which winds the eastern outlet of AVesterhan], leading to Brastead and Sevenoaks. Que- bec House,! as it is now called, was evidently a pictu- resque, if not comfortable abode, before modern altera- tions disfigured its exterior. Viewing it from the height upon which stands the venerable church, it is seen to most advantage, as the original gables of the rear are preserved, while those of the front facing the road have been converted into an unsightly parapeted wall. Here, under the watchful eye and careful training of their mother, passed the childhood of James and his younger brother, Edward Wolfe. '§» There was not more * From a jMS. statement of ' Facts connected with General Wolfe,' by John Board, Esq., of Westerhara, as related to him by his father, tlie late Ilex. Kichard Board. t " Among many things I liavc, originally his [Wolfe's], I sleep constantly on the bed in which he was born." (From a letter of General George Warde's, dated "Woodland Castle, November 15, 1822," to the Eev. Thomas Streatfeild, of Chart's Edge, Kent.) + This name is said to have been given to the house by a lady who rented it some years ago for a boarding-school. § The entries of their baptisms in the parish register are as follows : — "James, son of CoUonel Edward Wolfe, bapt. January 11th, 1720." [o. s.] " Eihvard, son of Collonel Edward Wolfe, bapt. Janiuiry 10th, i 172 I.H. a. s. 17-V-12.] WESTEUn A .M . — G IIKEN WIC 11 , that the Vicarage be seen, Warde.f seen to rear are oad have aining of and his not more ral Wolfe," his father, s], I sleep of General , 1822," to a lady who follows : — uary 11th, iiary 10th, ^1 than a year's difFercucc bcMvccn their ages, and their mutual attaehnient was closer than is common between brothers. They were both delicate, sensitive children, whose precarious health caused their mother many an anxious hour ; but they grew up into ardent and fearless, though not roljust boys. They received their first instructions in book-learning at a small school kept by a j\Ir. Law- rence, in a house still standing, near Westfield Grange, Westerham.* Nothing, beyond his name, is known of the village pedagogue ; nor has tradition conveyed to us a single incident illustrative of l' ' conduct or abilities of his celebrated pupil, the suoject of this memoir. The young Wolfes, however, were but a short time under Mr. Lawrence's ferula, for their father removed to Greenwich while the brothers were still children. Before he left his native village James had formed a friendship that was to endure for life, with a lad about two years his senior — George, youngest son of John Warde, Esq., of Squerrics.f Their tastes and aspira- tions were similar ; for young AWarde, like young Wolfe, was an embryo soldier. Squerries Court was the favourite resort of James, where he was ever a welcome guest ; and with his companion he wandered through the woods, climbed the steep hills, and strolled along the banks of " Silent Darent stained with Danish blood." * John Board, Esq., as above. t Squerries Court, a manor which gave botli surname and seat to a family resident as early as the reign of King Henry III. The familj bore for tlieir arms a sqiiirrel browsing on a hazel nut ; which coat was formerly painted in the window of AVostcrliam Church. At the opening of the eighteenth century the estate was in the possession of the Earl of Jersej', who sold it to John AVarde, Esq. (Ilasted's ' History of Kent,' vol. i. p. J81.) I I i'fi] 8 LIFE OF WOLFE. There arc few more dcliglitful neighbourhoods even in " the Garden of England " than the country around Westcrhani. Its natural beauty is well seconded by a high state of culture, so that hill and vale are alike fruit- ful. In the month of May the numerous orchards are masses of apple blossom ; while the lilac, laburnum, and hawthorn, each adding to the other's charms, bloom simultaneously in many a garden by the roadside. On approaching the village from the west, the fine old red brick mansion of Squerries is seen upon an eminence, at the foot of which is a small lake ; and behind the house, the ground, rising still higher, is studded with majestic trees. At the other side of this hill several springs uniting in a stream form the tributary Darent, which, after a winding course of about thirty miles, enters the Thames near Dartford.* From the valuation of Westerham, in Domesday Book, it appears to have been a place of some importance as early as the reign of Edward the Confessor, when it was held of the Crown by Godwin, Earl of Kent.f The parish church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a fine specimen of the architecture of the fifteenth century ; and the interior must have been very imposing before church- wardens began to mar it by their preposterous repairs. Some recent restorations are in better taste ; and it is * According to Leland, the term Darent signifies "clear water;" and Spenser, describing the rivers attending on the Thames, notices the trausluceucy of — " The still Darent, in whose waters cleane Ten thousand fishes play, and deck his ])leasant streame." Fao'ie Queen, bk. iv. c. xi. s. 29. t George's ' Westerham Journal,' 1811. I 1 7-?7— 12.1 WKSTEIUIAM. GREENWICH. even in around ed by a ke fruit- irds are Lira, and , bloom le. On old red lence, at e house, majestic springs which, ters the y Rook, ;ance as n it was t The 3ecimen md the church- repairs, nd it is water ;" 9, notices e." . s. 29. M i 9 -3). M to be hoped that the old oak roof will be agahi exposed to view, by the removal of the lath-and-[)laster ceiling that now hides it. The aisles ai'C crowded with nuu'al monu- ments, and some sepulchral brasses remain, though many were barbarously removed mo^-e than half a century ago.* James Wolfe enjoyed little of his father's society (luring his boyhood, for the Lieutenant-Colonel was obliged to be constantly with his regiment ; but, when occasionally he visited his family, he had many a tale to toll of Marlborough and Prince Eugene, that kindled the latent ambition of the boy. Young Edward Wolfe, notwithstanding the courage he exhibited during his short military career, had not so strong a passion for arms as his elder brother. His constitution being even more delicate than James's, he was not intended for the service. But docile and tractable as he was, he looked up to his more enthusiastic and impulsive brother as his leader; and it is evident that he entered the army — some months later than James — solely with the view of being with him whom he fondly loved, and pined after. But these remarks an- ticipate the order of events. The death of Queen Caroline, in 1737, may be said to have ended the era of peace ; for the Queen had exercised her influence over George II. to support the power of Sir Robert Walpole, for whom the King had little per- sonal regard. Consequently, after her Majesty's death, the minister could no longer restrain the monarch from * A correspondent of the ' Gentleman's Magazine,' 1807, writing upon this subject, declares that he discovered one of these brasses doing duty as a fender before a fireplace in the house of the parish clerk. 10 Lii'ii or woLi'ii;. following his own inclination towards a more fiery foreign policy than that which had hitherto been pursued. So the peace which England had enjoyed for a comparatively long while was now near its close, and stormy times were at hand. It was about this time that Lieut. -Colonel Wolfe re- moved his family to Greenwich, when his two sons at- tended the school of the Rev. Samuel F. Swinden, a gentleman for whom they continued to have the highest respect, and whose name is often mentioned in their letters. But rumours of war soon disturbed James's studies. The outcry of the English merchants against Spain, backed by the Pirliamentary opposition, could no longer be resisted, and Walpole, rather than lose his place, yicl led to the popular will by entering into an impru- dent and fruitless, if not an unjustifiable war On October 30th, 1739, Garter and Norroy, accompanied by Knights-lVIarshal, and escorted by a troop of Horse Guards with drums and trumpets, proceeded to Charing- Cross and the Royal Exchange, where they proclaimed his Majesty's declaration of war against Spain, amidst a vast crowd that signified the popular assent by loud acclamations.* Amongst other preparations, orders were issued for raising six additional regiments of Marines,! and, on No- vember 27th, Lieut. -Colonel AVolfe received his commis- sion as Colonel of the first of these regiments. A great military encampment also was formed upon Blackheath, | which had no slight attractions for one at least of the * Wade's British Chronology, f Salmon's Chronology. J Ibid. \f foreign cd. So [iratively ly times rolfe rc- sons at- indcii, a I highest in their studies. t Spain, 10 longer is place, 1 imprn- ar, On mpanied >f Horse haring- 3claimed amidst by loud I I 1 -A ■i ■I 1 -^ 1 i 1 \rr,-\-L] WESTEIUIAM. — GllEENWICH. 11 Greenwich schoolboys, who ever delighted in military and naval spectacles, and who now began to long for the day, not far distant, when he should be no longer a mere spectator, but an active performer in a similar display. Great was the joy of England when, in March, 1740, the news arrived of Vernon's victory at Porto Bello. Hero-worship has seldom enthralled more abject votaries than those who bowed down before the idol of the hour. Innumerable were the medals struck to perpetuate " the British glory revived in Admiral Vernon."* When the hem's birthday came round, it was celebrated through- out the land with bonfires and illuminations, marrow- bones and cleavers, etc.; and the inhabitants of a paiish in Cornwall, who could bestow no higher honour, elected him their churchwarden. f This patriotic frenzy was sti- mulated by the timely appearance of Glover's beantiful ballad,! alluding to which a wit of the day said, " The patriots cry it up, the courtiers cry it down, and the hawkers cry it up and down." § The English public, although not easily excited, when once roused knows how, not only to express its senti- ments, but also how to see them carried into action. Notwithstanding great distress amongst the working- med for on No- commis- A great dieath,! t of the + Ibid. ^ M' * One of these medals was recently dug up in a garden. See ' Notes and Queries,' July 26, 18G2 (p. 70). "The medal," says the editor, "is of abominable workmanship ; but such was the demand for it, that upwards of one hundred varieties of it are in the British Museum." t ' Athenaeum,' June 15, 1861. J " Admiral Hosier's Ghost. To the tune of ' Come and listen to my Ditty.' London : printed for Mr. "Webb, near St. Paul's, 17-10 (price sixpence)." § The Ho)i. Henry Seymour Conway. See Walpole's Letters (Cun- ningham's cd.), vol. i. p. 62. n 12 LIFE or WOl.l'K. classes, and the unusual severity of the winter of 1739-40, when the Thames was one mass of ice, a general enthu- siasm prevailed, which nothing short of the total destruc- tion of Spanish power in America would gratify. An expedition, therefore, was fitted out uiuler Conunodore Anson, with the view of lavaging the western coast of Sj)anish America; and a large fleet, connnanded by Sir Chaloner Ogle, assembled at Spithead to reinforce the West Indian fleet, of which Admii'al Vernon was con- tinued in the connnand. Meanwhile an army of 10,000 men was collected in the Isle of AVight, under Lord Cathcart, an experienced officer, of high honour and integrity. These were busy times with Colonel AVolfc, who was appointed Adjutant-General to Lord Cathcart's forces in July, 1740. James was now but thirteen years and six months old, a tender age for the hardships inevitable to so distant a service, even under the most favourable circumstances. But the boy's strong will could not be subdued by his mother's remonstrance, and the Colonel was induced to take the young volunteer along with him to the camp. Mrs. Wolfe could not possibly have used more effective means in endeavouring to dissuade her son from his purpose than in doubting his love, but even this was of no avail ; for dearly as he loved both her and his brother, who remained at home, there was more powerful attraction for him elsewhere. His part- ing grief was soon dissipated by the view of the fleet at Portsmouth, or, iu his own words upon a future occa- sion, " the dreadfuJ though pleasing sight of our n)ighty navy." lie had not been long with the army, and had 1727-12.] WESTER n A M . — fiU EEN WK'FI . 13 /39-10, I eiitliu- (Icstruc- fy. All luiodorc coast of 1 by Sir )rcc tliu as con- 10,000 er Lord )ur and vlio was forces in and six cvitablc ourablc not be Colonel ith him ve used ide her ve, but d both ere was is part- fleet at e occa- niighty nd had therefore acquired little experience of a soldier's life, when he wrote his first letter to his mother, as follows : — Newport, Trtle of Wight, August Gth, 1710. Dear jNIadam, I received my doarcst ]MatP*^a'8 letter on IMoiuhiy last, l)nt could not answer it then, oy reason I was at camp to see the n'{^iincnts oft" to go on hoard, and was too late for the j)nst; Imt am very sorry, dear jSIamnia, that you doubt my love, which I'm sure is as sincere as ever any son's was to his mother. Papa and I arc just now going on hoard, but I believe shall not sail this fortnight ; in which time, if I can get ashore at Portsmouth or any other town, I will certainly write to you, and when we are gone by every ship I meet, because I know it is my duty. Besides, if it was not, I would do it out of love, with pleasure. I am sorry to hear that your head is so bad, which, I fear, is caused by your being so melancholy ; but pray, dear Mamma, if you love me, don't give yourself up to fears for us. I hope, if it please God, we shall soon see one another, which will he the happiest day that ever I shall see. I will, as sure as I live, if it is possible for me, let you know everything that has happened, by every ship ; therefore pray, dearest Mamma, don't doubt ahout it. I am in a very good state of health, and am likely to continue so. Pray my love to my brother, and accept of my duty. Papa desires his love to you, and blessing to my brother. Pray my service to Mr. Streton and his family, to Mr. and Mrs. Weston, and to George Wardc when you sec him ; and pray believe me to be, my dearest !Mamma, Your most dutiful, loving, and afTcctionatc Son, J. Wolfe. P.S. — Harry gives his love to Margaret, and is very careful of me. Pray my service to W^ill and the rest. To Mrs. Wolfe, at her house in Greenwich, Kent. ! , i < 14 MFE OF WOLFF,. This boyish effusion, in no way remarkable j)erhnps, beyond its passionate outbursts of aft'cction, was care- fully preserved by Mrs. Wolfe ; and every letter of her son's to either his father or to herself was, one by one, added to her store, until, nineteen years after the date of the above, his last letter to her from the banks of the St. Lawrence completed the collection. The fleet had not departed at the expiration of the fortnight, nor did it sail until November; neither was young AVolfe destined to go with it. His assertion that he was in a good state of health, and likely to continue so, was not well founded, for ere long he fell seriously ill, and it became necessary to put him ashore at Ports- mouth on his way homewards. His father was not so fortunate, but lived to look back with horror upon the sufferings he was now about to undergo ; and years afterwards lie recalled his Carthagena experiences, in order to warn his son against embarking in a conjoint expedition. Although the purport of this book is to narrate the story of James Wolfe's life, not his father's, yet, in order to gain some insight into the way gi-eat national under- takings were managed when our hero was about entering upon his active career, it may be excusable slightly to trace the fortunes of the fleet with which the Colonel sailed. The opening prospect was bright enough, inso- much that Lord Cathcart wrote to Vernon, — " In the troops I bring you there is spirit, there is goodwill, which, when properly conducted, will produce, I hope, what the nation expects from us — will make us the glo- rious instruments of finishing the war with all the ad- 1727-12.] W KSTERIl A M . — G RKEN W I C 1 1 . ]') perhaps, 'as care- r of her by one, the date :s of the n of the thcr was tion that continue seriously •{ at Ports- s not so ipon the id years )nces, in conjoint :rate the in order I il under- .^ entering * ightly to Colonel ;h, inso- | ''In the P joodwill, ■ 1 I hope, .| he glo- 3 the ad- | '3 vantages to the public that its happy begiiniiiig pro- mises, and with this distinguishing circunistauec, that those happy effects have been owing to a perfect har- mony between the sea and land forces." liut unfortu- natelv, Cathcart died soon after his arrival in the West Indies, when the command of the army devolved upon Brigadier Wentworth, an officer who had neither exi)e- ricnce, resolution, nor authority. One rpiality, however, lie possessed in common with Vernon, — obstinacy ; and his contempt for the navy was as great as the Admiral's contempt for the army.* The minutest and best account of this ever-memoral)le expedition is that given in ' The Adventures of Roderick Random,' wherein the author relates his own hard-bought experience as a surgeon's mate on board a rran-of-war belonging to the fleet. After describing the effects of the storm that overtook them outside the Chaimel, with other trying incidents of the outward voyage, and the unneces- sary delay at Jamaica, Smollett says : — " At length we set sail, and arrived in a bay to the windward of Carthagena, where we came to an anchor and lay at our ease ten days longer. Here, again, certain malicious people took oc- casion to blame the conduct of their superiors, by saying that in so doing they not only unprofitably wasted time, wliich was very precious considering the approach of tiie rainy season, but also allowed the Spaniards time to recollect themselves from the terror occasioned by the approach of an English fleet at least three times as mnnerous as ever appeared in that part of the world before. But if I might be allowed to give my opinion * Russell's ' Modern Europe.' it r'i 10 LIFK OF WOTJ'i:. of tlu; matter, I would ascril)c this (kla}' to the genero- sity of our chiefs, who scorned to take any a(lvantng(! that fortune might give them, even over nn enemy." * As it does not come within our province to enter into details of the attack upon 13occa Chica, the castle of St. Lazar, and other warlike proceedings of this ill- starred expedition, one or two more passages from our author will suflice to show the total disregard of the commanders for the health or comfort of their men, — a state of things compared with which the care of military and naval chiefs in onr day presents a happy contrast. In the same ironical tone, Smollett goes on to say : — "How simply do those people argue who ascribe the great mortality among us to our bad provision and want of water ; . . . seeing, it is to be ho})ed, that those who died went to a better place, and those who survived were the more easil^^ maintained. After all, a sufficient num- ber remained to fall before the walls of St. Lazar, w'.iere they behaved like their own country mastift's, who shut their eyes, run into the jaws of a bear, and liave their heads crushed for their valour."f The description of the so-called hospital-ships is too disgusting for quotation. It will be enough to say that the inhuman neglect of the sick and wounded was im- puted to the scarcity of surgeons. " Though," continues the surgeon's mate, " it is well known that every great ship in the Heet could have spared one at least for this duty, — an expedient which would have been more than sufficient to remove this shocking inconvenience. But * 'The Adventui'cs of Eoderick Eandom,' rol. i. cli. xxxi. t Ibid., cb. xxxiii. ir;.'7-l.!.] w i.s ri', uii A ,M . — ci im:i;n w i c ii . 17 I gcnero- (Ivantagc; ■ ny. * 1 to enter ■P he castle ' this ill- froin our [1 of the men, — a military \ ntrast. 1 say : — / cribe the - i and want hose vN'ho ived were ent nnm- ar, w'lcrc 1 kvho shut 1 avc their ■1 is is too say that was im- 30utinues sry great for this lore than ■4i :e. But i ■t5 CXXl. |)('rliiij)s tlu" (iencrul was too uuich of a gcntlenian to ask a favour of this kind from his fi llovv-chief, who, on tlu; other hand, wouhl not dci'ogate so much from his own difuitv as to offer sueh assistance unasked ; for I may venture to allirm, that by this time the demon of discord, with her sooty wings, had breathed her inlliUMiee uj)on our councils; and it might be said of these great men (I hope they will [)ardon the comparison) as of Ciesar and Pomj)cy, the one coidd brook no superior, and the other was impatient of an ecpial."'^ AVith such ill-associated commanders there could pos- sibly be but one result — the total failnrc of the expe- dition, after a most wanton saeritice of human life. To complete the ruin, the rainy season set in with its at- teiulant pestilence, against which the dejected survivors were badly fitted to cope; so the few forts that had bec-n taken from the enemy were relin(|uished, and the wreck of the armament retired to Jamaica. The evil had been enough, if the jealous feeling that existed in one service towards the other had been con- lined to the superior officers; but uidiappily, the ex- ample of the chiefs was followed through all grades. Xor was this contemptuous spirit exhibited only between * Although it is ^A■oll known that in this instance Smollett has nut exaifgcratocl the facts, hut has only, by his bitter irony, made them ai)iK'ar nioro glarini,', some apoloiry may he necessary for q\iotinj>; a Avork of fiction as historical authority. I shall not, by way of excuse, oiler Fieklinif's witticism, that the only dillcrence between the historian and him was. that with the historian everything was false but the names and dates, while with himself nothing was false but these, but will adduce Mr. Thackeray's opinion : — "I take a volume of J)r, Smol- lett, or a volume of the ' Spectator,' and say the fiction carries a greater amount of triifh in solution than the volume that purports to be all true." (' English Humourists of the Eighteenth Century.') C .1 I ! I 18 LIFE OF WOLFE. the land and sea forces ; for in those days naval officers, as a rule, treated with scorn men of other professions necessarily associated with them, clerical as well as me- dical. The chaplain, however, if a jovial companion and a good hand at mixing biimho, might sometimes be ho- noured with an invitation to the wardroom.* Colonel Wolfe was sent to Cuba in charge of the sick and wounded, and did not return home from the West Indies until the autunni of 1742. James had in the mean- while recovered his health, and again joined his brother at the worthy Mr. Swinden's school in Greenwich. They were very com})anionable boys, forming many friend- ships amongst their schoolfellows and neighbours, the Aliens, Bretts, Cades, Hookers, Masons, Strcttons, and others, whose names may still be seen upon stately mo- numents in St. Alphage's and elsewhere ; and some of them are conspicuous in the rolls of our Admirals and Generals. It could have been only towards the end of his edu- cation under jNIr. Swinden that Wolfe had a schoolfellow in little John Jcrvis, for " Master Jackey " was six years younger than James. He was nevertheless a hardy youngster, with considerable thirst for salt water, though his father, the Treasurer of Greenwich Hospital, designed liim for the law.f " What are you to be. Master Jackey?" asked the old coachman of the boy who sat beside him on the box, one day while the family was driving out. " A lawyer, I believe," was the answer. " Oh, don't. Master Jackey, * Sec "The Chaplaiu's Petition," in 'The Gentleman's Magazine,' for September, 179G. t 'Memoir of John Jervis, Earl St. Vincent,' by J. S. Tucker. f 1727-J2.] WESTERHAM. — GREENAVICII. 19 I officers, ofcssions II as mc- nion and s be ho- ' tlie sick the West the mean- is brother ch. They IV friend- )ours, the ttons, and lately mo- 1 some of nirals and if his cdu- fhoolfellow six years a hardy |cr, though designed led the old |e box, one lawyer, 1 3r Jackey, Magazine,* tucker. dear," rejoined the blunt driver, "for lawyers are always ro-'^ues!" Whether the hint had any influence or not, young Jack ere long ran away to sea, to begin, through o-reat trials and hardships, the career that was to end in the renown of the admiral, Earl St. Vincent.* In their after years Wolfe and Jervis saw little of one another, until the last days of Wolfe's life, when he re- posed in his friend a sacred trust, the story of which will appear in due course. There were also visits to Westerhani at this time. Towards the end of the year 1741, when James was at Squerries, the post arrived one day while he and his com- panions, John and George AVarde, were amusing them- selves in the j)leasure-grounds near the house, jNIr. Wardc soon afterwards approached and handed his visitor a large letter, " On his Majesty's service," which, on being opened, was found to contain the young soldier's first commission, dated "St. James's, November 3rd, 1741," duly signed by King George II. and countersigned by Lord Harrington, ap})ointing hun Second Lieutenant in his father's regiment of Marines. The incident was not forgotten ; for the inheritor of the estate, who had been by, after victory had crowned the hero, erected a testi- monial to perpetuate the event on the spot where it had occurred. f This memorial, embowered by lofty trees, stiU stands upon the terrace at the south side of Squer- ries House, and consists of a pedestal surmounted by an ornamental urn. The base is covered with inscriptions, amongst which are the following lines : — * 'Life of Earl St. Vincent,' by Captain Brenton. London: 1838. t Communicated by Admiral Warde, Iv.II. )• 20 IJFE OF WOLFE. " Here first was AVolfo with martial ardour fired, Here first \\itli glory's brightest flame inspii'cd ; This 82)ot so sacred will for ever elaim A proud alliauee with its hero's name." The corps of which young Wolfe was now a commis- sioned officer, originated in t!ie reign of Charles II., when it was known as " The Maritime Regiment of the Lord High Admiral of England," — his Royal Highness the Duke of York and Albanv. After the Revolution, William HI. disbanded them, but raised a similar body under his own warrant; and Queen Anne added to the nnmber by converting three infantry regiments into Marines.* It was in one of these regiments that Colonel Wolfe had seen his first service, and it was chiefly owing to their daring gallantry that Gibraltar became a British possession.! But there is no evidence to prove that James Wolfe ever actually served as a Marine ; nor is it probable, as his father's regiment had not as yet returned to England. It was a service, too, for which he was ill suited physi- cally, for he never could overcome the torture which ho invariably suffered at sea ; and it may possibly have been a short experience of this that determined his exchange, within a few months, into the Line. The British army has never been at a lower ebb than when Wolfe entered it. It was the heartless policy of those " good old times " when war was at an end, to disband suddenly tlio greater part of the forces, and thus a treaty that brought peace and prosperity to the * Stocqueler's ' British Soldier.' t The Marines were honoured with the prefix " Eoyal " by George ITT., in 1802, in consideration of their services during the war with revolutionary Franco. {Ibid.) i;27-12.J WESTEIIIIAM. GREENWICH. 21 couimis- irles II., it of the Highness 3Volution, a similar inc added regiments lents that ms chiefly became a lies Wolfe obable, as England, ed physi- which he have been exchange, ebb than policy of |n end, to )rces, and [ity to the I" by Gcorco ic war with m •IV ^S nation at large, was followed by distress, if not rnm, to those whose swords had been the means of effecting it. The Peace of Utrecht terminated the Continental warfare in which England had been engaged, and the army came home to be turned adrift \\\)o\\ the world, — oilicers, who had no political interest, to support their families upon half-pay, or to enter u])on other avocations for which they were unfitted, and [)rivates, to recruit the ranks of the highway. During the reign of George I. and the earlier part of his successor's, there was little call for the services of soldiers, and consequently only foppish officers, attracted by love of scarlet and gold-lace, with a few companies of rtgiments billeted here and there, for barracks were not yet in vogue, constituted what was called the British anny. h ' low, after thirty years' peace, the recruiting sergeant ■ Lo be set at work to allure rustics from the plougii, for the pay of sixpence a day, to contend against the ably-officered and well-train, d troops of Erance. " In the beginning of each war," says a great military historian, " England has to seek in blood the knowledge necessary to ensure success ; and like the fiend's progress towards Eden, her conquering course is through chaos followed by death ! "* It may ])e safely asserted that to no period of England's history do these unquestion- able words more fitly apply than to that when Wolfe became an ensign of the Twelfth, or Colonel Duroure's reiiinient of foot. * Napier's ' History of the rcuiusular War.' ;22 CHAPTER 11. GIIE^^T.—ASCnAFFENBUEG. 1712-1713. In the beginning of the year 1742, when England had once more embarked in Enropean warfare, the British army \\i\s com[)rised of fifteen cavahy regiments, in addi- tion to the Horse Guards, fifty infantry regiments, besides the Foot Guards, and four companies of Royal Artillery. Sixteen thousand men had been set apart for Continental service ; and of these, such corps as were ready for em- barkation in the spring were collected upon Blackheath. Accordingly, on Tuesday the 27th of Aprd — one month exactly after tlie date of Ensign Wolfe's commission — King George II., accon'panied by his sons, their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cum- berland, and attended by Field jMarshal the Earl of Stair, with a large staff of Generals, proceeded to the Heath, in order to review the flower of his Majesty's army. There were three troops of the Horse Guards, and the whole of the " Blues," with five regiments of Dragoons ; and of foot, there were thirteen regiments, one of which was Colonel Duroure's.* As such a sight was not often to be seen, no small * ' Gcutlcmau's Magazine.' 1712-13.] GHENT. — ASCII AFFENBUllG. 23 land had D British , in addi- 3, besides Artillery, iiitinental y for eui- ckhcath. lie month lissioii — ir Royal of Cum- [ of Stair, leath, in There le whole ; and of ich was I nnnibcr of citizens turned out to view the show. It was a busy time upon the Thames, for the " silent highway" was prefei'red before the Grecnwieh road, long ere steamboats upset the vested rights of the " jolly young Matcrman." Of little significance, amidst the brilliant array whose nianccuvies were criticized by the crowd upon this April day, was the blue-eyed boy that carried the colours of Duroure's. Some few friends and neighbours there were, indeed, who felt more interested in him than in either Field jMarslial, Prince, or King. Although his father had not yet returned from the West Indies, Mrs. Wolfe and young Edward had not far to come; Mr. Swinden was probably there with some of his scholars ; and George Warde was certainly there, — a cornet of dragoons. Judging by the manly air and lofty stature of the young ensign, those who did not know him would have sup- posed his age to have been much more than fifteen years and three months ; nor was this premature appearance of age lessened by the powdered wig, which, according to the fashion of the time, concealed his own naturally red hair. Although the most partial admirer could not have considered him by any means a handsome youth, yet his countenance was so expressive of an ingenuous, hopeful spirit as to make it remarkably attractive. The most striking lineament, however, was the singular form of his })rofile, which might be nearly represented by two lines of an obtuse angle meeting at the tip of the nose.* When in repose, his face had little colour, but when ex- cited — owing to that transparency of the skin which com- * "Wolfe's proillc bears a remarkable resemblance to that of the younger Pitt, as may be perceived by comparing his portrait by High- ") ■I ' h • LIFE or WOLFE. M 1 ' iiionly accompanies a sanguine complexion — it blusliccl all over ; and the somewhat high and projninent cheek- bones betrayed the share of Celtic blood he inlierited. The mouth denoted great decision and firnuiess, while tlio leading expression of the sparkling azure eyes might be most truly qujilificd as inquiring. The military costume of the day, though not so smart j)erhaps as that of the modern soldier, was much more picturesque, as well as more comfortable. The scarlet frock, instead of being buttoned up in front, was merely closed by two or three loops above the waist, while from the chest it was folded bapk in broad lapels, exposing the bosom of the shirt. The skirts descended to the knees, where the corners were turned up, disj)laying, as at the breast, the white or yellow lining of the coat. Breeches and gaiters covered the legs, and the head was surmounted by a cocked hat,* edged with gold lace. Without noticing minuter points, if to the above arc added the belt and sword, a sufficiently accurate con- ception may be formed of Wolfe's appearance at his first review. more with tlic bust of the statesman in the National Portrait Gallery. The lilvoness lias boon noticed by Xeale, in his 'Westminster Abbey.' * " The cockade was sini]ily the knot of tlie ril)bon that served to cock the broad flapped liat worn by military men in the eighteenth century, and which in fine weather, or soi"^ into action, etc., they used to cock, by means of hooks, laces, and ribbons. "We still see in the cocked hats of coachmen and beadles the traces of these old ligaments. . . . Coats were of the shape we now call frocks, and lined through- out, generally, with a different colour from the outside. When a per- son in one of these coats was going about any active work, and par- ticularly into fight, he doubled back his sleeves, and folded back the collar, which being of a different colour came to be what we now call i\wfar/ii(/.t of miliiary uniforms. The French, truer to their origin, still call them the nrcrs." (Notes and (Queries.) 4 a1 :| I 171-2-i3.] GHENT. ASCIIAFrENBUUG. 25 blushed \. chc'ck- lieritcd. 'bile the light be so smart ch more ; scarlet 3 merely lile from exposing 1 to the lying, as he coat, lead was Id lace. )ovc arc ate con- his first t Gallery. Abbey.' served to ghtecntli they used see in the igaments. through- 3cn a per- and par- baek th<^ now call igin, still J The spectacle over, there Avas but little time left for ])!U'tiiig scenes. Two regiments at least — Howard's and Dnroure's — marched immediately from the ground, the first for Woolwich, the other for Dejjtford, where they embarked in the transports ready to convey them to the Austrian dominions in Flanders.* After being for scvcj-al days wind-bound at the Norc, they at length reached Ostend, whither they vvere convoyed by the 'Argyle,' of 50 guns, on '' d 10th of May; and next day they proceeded to *ugec It appears tha>. ' [.av arrival was anticipated by another body from England : — " By our last advices from Ostend," says one of the ncws- ])apers, " we learn that on the :2nd instant a large body of British troops arrived there for the service of her Hungarian ]\Iajcsty ; but that as they were all of the fair sex, and no provision having been made by Briga- dier Bland for quartering them, it occasioned a great confusion in the town ; however, it is said they will soon be reinforced by their husbands and sweethearts, who arc now confined at the Nore by contrary winds." f Nothing further is to be learned of our young soldier's proceedings until after his arrival at Ghent, in which garrison Duroure's was quartered, but where the troops of their sovereign's ally were by no means welcome to the inhabitants. The Ghentois were composed of a mixture of French and Hutch, not well incorporated, and, therefore, not the most loyal of Maria Theresa's subjects. " They hato the English, and tee hate them," writes one of the British officers, in a letter home ; " and *' ' Tlie Conntry Journal ; or, the Craftsman.' t Ihitl, Saturday. May 8, 1742. 26 LIFE OF WOLFE. the Qiiccn of Hungary holds thcni like a wolf by the ears. * It is no wonder, then, to hear of frequent collisions between the people and their garrison. The most trifling circumstance excited a tumult; for instance, we learn from a contemporaneous letter: — "On the 3rd instant (July), at night, some English soldiers being in the market-place, one of them, as the butchers say, stole a piece of meat, but, as the soldiers say, that he only took it up to smell if it was sweet ; upon which the butcher cut him across the face with a knife, and one of the soldiers ran the butcher through the body. Immediately the fray became general ; the butchers with knives and cleavers, and the burghers with old rusty swords and spits, killed some of the soldiers; but twelve dragoons coming to the relief of the Foot, cut down all before them, and put the mob to flight. The rest of the soldiers were, by direction of the officers, locked up in the barracks. The tumvdt continued above two hours, and several were killed on both sides. On this occasion the magistrates assembled, and ordered an edict to be issued, that whoever shoidd offer the least affront to the subjects of the King of Great Britain, should be lohipped, burnt hi (he back, and turned out of the toivu."^ Ghent, since known as the " Belgian Manchester," had then no manufactures, and but little trade. The priest-ridden population, if report be true, kept at least two, and sometimes three or four holidays in each week. Their dress was somewhat after the Spanish mode ; but, * ' Gentleman's Magazine,' 1743, p. 528. t Ibid., July, 1712, p. 3'JO. i 1712-13.] GHENT. — ASCII Ari'ENBL' KG. 27 f by the collisions st trifling vvc learn 1 instant r in the y, stole a inly took ! butcher le of the ncdiately lives and ords and dragoons ill before t of the ed up in ours, and asion the )e issued, subjects diirnl hi Chester," e. The at least h week, de; but, "seeing the gay appearance of the English gentlemen, tlicv grew ashamed of their wooden shoes, and old greasy, ragged cloaks, which served for coat, waistcoat, and, I believe breeches, but I am not sure of stockings, and began to spruce themselves up in leather shoes, etc."* Bating the satire, after making a little allowance for na- tional prejudice, the above re[)resentation of the towns- people, and their condition at the time when Wolfe was first stationed amongst them, will help us to form as cor- rect notions of them as can now j.robably be arrived at. The earliest of the ensign's letters from Ghent, that has been preserved, is evidently not the first he wrote there. The novelty of his situation seems to have worn off by the time the following was penned, consecpiently we gain little insight from him into the state of public affairs. Yet, although the contents are not of much general interest, there are, adopting a favourite phrase of his own, some " strokes " so indicative of character therein, as to make it, unimportant though its details are, worthy of being read. His father had, ere now, come back from the West Indies, and been appointed Inspector of Marines ; but upon this occasion Wolfe writes to his mother : — Ghent, August 27tb, 1742. Dear Madam, I just got your kind letter by Captaui ^Mcrrydan ; I'm very much obliged to you for it, and am heartily glad to hear you are all well. I pity my unelc Tim much.t I think, by what I have * ' Gentleman's Magazine,' 1743, p. 528. t "Uncle Tim" was probably Mrs. "Wolfe's eldest brother, Edward Tindal Thompson. '( ' , I , l' '. '■ " ii '( ! 28 LIFE OF WOLFE LCiird yon say of him, ho does not dcservo sucli ill luck. I saw my friend (jO()r-i:}.] (JUl'.NT. ASCIIAI TKNUUIUJ. 81 h, 1712. 1 lu'urtily .; 11 is now '5 t as you no more unt your ) scud nio iuul think u live to • thing not )u't miiul. \s to cat- to. For rum and to take a us. The in for the itinuc till t, neither < company. ittlc uith )rothcr is does him well, and him, and me, 4 # Son, VoLFE. me, and 4 y's Gcog. Olio more letter from the old [)lacc requires no intro- diu'tit)!! : — Ghoiit, l)ceoiul)or 17th, 1712. Dear ^fadam, T should have answered your letter when I wrote last to luv father, had not the husiness 1 was forecul to write about pnvented me. I was heartily sorry you j^ot into your new house with a cold. I hope it has left you, and you enjoy per- fc'ct health, without which there can be no happiness to you, nor eousc(iuently to mv. My brother is niueh to be com- mended for the ])ains he takes to improve himself. I hope to sec him soon in Flanders, when, in all probability, before next year is over, we nuiy know somethiu;^ of our t adc. Sonio |)C()ple imagine wc shall return to l^iUgland in the si)ring, but 1 think that's not Uiueh to be relicul on; however, Cm i o judge of these things. 'J'herc is a talk of some of the regiments of Foot will march to garrison two or three towns (the Anstrians have (juittcd to go aiul join the army in IJohemia*) ; — they are about lo;'- senre or a huiulred miles from hence. Their names are ?.ions, Cliarleroy, and another I don't know; but it is not certain. Wc have had cxtreinc hard frost for about a fortnight, so that all the rivers and canals, whereof there arc great plenty about the town, arc frozen, so that no boats can go, nor any cotumcree be carried on by water. There was a little thaw last night, so that wc are in some hopes of its going away. I shall not miss writing to you every fortnight as you desire. Be so good to give my duty to my father, uncles and aunts, and love to my brother. I am, dearest Madam, Your dutiful and affectionate Son, J. Wolfe. Mr. Wardc desires his complimciits ; mine to that family, if you please. I hope Miss is wclLf *" The Austrians in Flanders have separated from our troops, a littlo out of humour, because it was impracticable for them to march without aTiy preparatory provision for their reception." (AValpolo to Mann, December 9. 1742.) t Miss Warde, sister to George, afterwards Mrs. Clayton. 1 i^ 32 LIFE OF WOLFF. \Vc learn from tlic above; that young Edward Wolfe was about to join his brother in Flanders, and from u former letter it appears also that his health was delicate. lie longed nevertheless to be with James, but probably was prevented until his father's return to England, when a further delay may have arisen from the difficulty of obtaining an cnsigney in the same regiment. Duroure's quitted Ghent, on the march towards Germany, early in February, 1713, by which time, as there is no mes- sage to him in James's next letter, it may be concluded that Edward had left home for the army upon the Con- tinent. Many columns of the newspapers and magazines of the time are filled with detailed accounts of the hard- ships suflered by the British forces upon their march into Germany ; but it will not be necessary to add to the story of a few days' experience of the road as plainly but hopefully told by Wolfe in the letter which fol- lows : — St. Tron, in tlio Uisliopric of Lic'j,a% February 12tli, 1713. Dear Madam, I got your letter of the 23rd of last mouth, at Ghent, and should have answered it as I told mv father I intended, at Brussels, but was very much fatigued and out of order, so deferred it till now. This is our fifth day's march ; we have had very bad weather all the way. I have found out by experience that my strength is not so great as I imagined ; but, however, I have held out prctt}' well as yet. To-moivow is a very bad road to Tongres, so if I can I will hire a horse at this place, and march afoot one day and ride the other, all the rest of the journey. I never come into quarters «llliout aching hips and knees; 1712-1:}.] (illENT. — ASCII ArFENBUllG. S3 rd AVolfe (1 from a i ddicato. probably iiul, wlieu Ticulty of Diu'ourc's my, early 5 no mcs- xmcludcd the Coii- vazines of the hard- nv march to ad 1 to as plauily ^•hich fol- .71-3. at Ghent, itciulcd, at order, so very bad 3C that my er, I have ad road to place, and •est of the nd knees; and I assure you the wisest part of the officers got horses at filient, though some would liavc done it if their circumstances would have allowed it. We have lived pretty well all the way, but I have already been glad to take a little water out of a soldier's flask, and cat some ammunition bread. I am now quartered at the head man of the town's house, one of the civilest men I ever met with in my life. The people where I was billeted refused to let me in, so I went to the townhouse and complained, and this gc! leman took mc and another ofHeer that was with me to his house. I shall write to my father when we get to the end of our march ; I'm glad to hear, with all my heart, that he is well. I'm in the greatest spirits in the world ; I have my health pretty well, and I believe I shall be very well able to hokl it out with a little help of a horse. Pray be so good to give my duty to my father. This is the best paper St. Tron affords; I have got a sergeant's pen and ink, which are commonly very bad; so I hope you'll excuse everything that is bad in this letter. I am, dear Madam, Your dutiful and affectionate Son, J. AVOLFE. To ^[rs. Wolfe, at Burlington Street, near Burlington Gardens, London. Only four letters written by Wolfe's brother are ex- tant ; the first of these — following the chronological se- quence of our narrative — finds place here. Bonn,* April 7th, 1713. Dearest Sir, I am sent here with another gentleman to buy provi- sions, for we can get none upon our march but eggs and bacon and sour bread ; but I have lived upon a soldier's ammunition * The original is dated " Boini, April 7, N. s., 1712." However, that it was written in the year 1743 is self-evident. The new year bad but jiusl begun. This proljably is the letter which Mr. Glcig was led to suppose was written in Home. >■!. 34 LIFE OF WOLFE. bread, which is I'ur pivfcral)k; to wluit we find upon the road. We are within two leagues of tlie Rhine, wliicn, it is most peopk^'s opinion, we shall pass the 1 1th, and then encamp. I have no bedding, nor can get it anywhere; not so much at this place, where the Elector's Court is, which I think a little extraordinary. We had a sad march last Monday in the morning. I was obliged to walk up to my knees in snow, though my brother and I have a horse between us, and at the same time I had it with me. I seldom see him, and had I had the least t'loughts of coming to this place, I am sure he would have wrote to you. This is the first opportunity I have had since I wrote to you from Aix-la-Chapelle, which letter 1 hope you have received. I do not expect a letter from you, if it docs not come by my captain, this great while. 1 have often lain upon straw, and should oftener had not I known some French, which I find very useful ; though I was the other day obliged to speak Latin for a good dinner, which if I had not done, I should have gone without it. ]\Iost people talk tlmt language here. We send for everything we want to the priest, and if he does not send what he has, we frighten him pretty much. The people are very malicious here and very poor, except the priest and burgermaster, who live upon the republic; but I have had the good luck to be billeted at their houses, where there is everything good but their bread. We arc here at the worst time, for they kill no meat be- cause it is Lent. They say there are many wolves and wild boars in the woods; but 1 never saw any yet, mither do I desire. Now I think I may end troubling you with my nonsense; but I flatter myself that you have a pleasure in licarnig from, Dear Sir, Your dutiful and afiectionatc Son, Edward Wolfe. Pray my duty to my mother, and I may venture very safely the same from my brother to you both. Young Edward AVolfc had had more time and oppor- 17l3-i:i.l filTENT. ASCII AFFEN BURG. 35 the road, i is most 3am p. I much at ik a little ,y ill the in snow, md at the md had I m snrc ho ity I have i\i letter 1 come by pon straw, h, which I ;d to speak , I should uage here. . if he docs nch. The the priest ut I have here there meat he- -s and wild Ineither do li with my deasure in |Son, AVoLFE. bture very Ind oppor- tiniitv for literary acquirciiicnts than his brother bad enjoyed; and it is evident that he had availed liimself of his advantages. IMore fortunate than the unhicky surfTeoii's-niate of the Carthagcna expedition, whose knowledge of Greek brought bini to grief,* Edward's familiarity "with Latin })roved of substantial service. A passage in the preceding letter cannot fail to remind tlie readers of Fielding, of the conversation between Dr. Harrison and the noble lord; and shows how truly the great histoiical novelist portrayed his own times : — " * I am j)ersuadcd,' says the doctor, ' there is scarce a foot-soldier in the army who is more illiterate than the colonel.' " ' Why, as to Latin and Greek, you know,' replied the lord, ' they arc not much recpiircd in the army,' "f Had all the officers' dinners depended upon a Latin speech, it is likely that most of them would have fared worse than the new ensign. J Nearly a month later than the last, another letter of Edward's turns up, from which it appears they are draw- ing near the enemy ; he has no misgivings however about the consequences. On this occasion he writes to his mother: — Frankfort, May Itli, n. s., 1743. Dearest ]\Lidara, I don't doubt but you will think mc very neglectful * 'Koderiek IJaiulom,* eh. xxx. t 'Amelia,' book xi. eh. ii. X Seo " Tho adventure of a company of olllcers," in 'Tom Jones' (liook vii. eh. xii.). " ' Crreeians and Trojans ! ' says one of the ensigns, ' who the devil are lliey ? I liave heard of all the troops iu Europe, but never of any sueh as these.'" Fielding, whose father it will be recollected was a General, knew the condition of the army well. D 2 .( • :^0 LIFE OF WOLFE. in not writing to yon, l)nt I assnrc you 'tis no fault of mine, for wlioncvcr 1 had an opportunity of sending a letter to you 1 did it with a great deal of pleasure. I don't expect to hear from you till we have beaten the French, and return to riandcrs, which time is very uncertain. Wc are now within a day's march of the rreneh army, which it is reported wc shall soon engage, but there is no credit to be given to half is said here. It is likewise said in case the French shouiJ go into Bavaria we shall follow them, which is about two months' inarch; sol reckon this summer Avill be spent in that agree- able manner, though I feel no more of it that anybody else, so I am as well content d as if we were marching in England. I have at last bought my bedding at Frankfort, which place I think has a little the rescmbhmee of London, though not half so large. I reckon you thiidc I have forgot Mrs. Cade, but I assure you I have not, though 1 must confess there's not a woman in Frankfort, nor indeed in all Germany, that that has half beauty enough to put me in mind of her. Pray be so good to remember mc to all our neighbours at Green- wich, and if Mr. Swinden or any one else should ask after me, you will be pleased to mention that was I in a settled place they should have no room to complain of my not wri- ting to them, but now as I am always hiu-ricd about in mount- ing i)iekets, etc., I am not able to write to any one but where my duty forces mc. I keep my health very well ; live merrily, and if it please God that you and my dearest father do yours, nothing else will make me do otherwise. I hope and pray when you write to uncle Brad you will be so good as to nudvc my compli- ments to them both ; and my duty to my father concludes mc, dearest Madam, Your dutiful and affectionate Son, EnwARD Wolfe. Nigli as the hostile armies now were to eaeli other, no engagement took })lace till some weeks later. News from the seat of war was anxiously looked for in London, ] 712-13.] GHENT. — ASCII AFFENBURCl. 37 of mine, cr to yoii ;t to hear eturn to )W within )orte(l we to half is should go o mouths' liat agrec- l)ody else, , Enghuid. >rt, which )n, though ylvs. Cade, CSS there's manv, that iicr. Pray f at Green - ask after a settled ly not wri- in mount- 3ut where it please hiug else you write ny compli- concludcs c Son, D Wolfe. Y. n other, no News London, where it was rcpoiicd that a l)attle had been already fought. But it was a false alarm. It a})pcars, however that on tiie 9th of June, Lord Stair having heard that the Freneh under the Due de Noailles were in full march towards the confederate armies, gave orders to the several corps nnder his command to advance that night to a plain between the forest of Darmstadt and the j\Iaine. At daybreak next morning they were drawn up in line of battle, and so remained until the after- noon, when, the enemy not appearing, they returned to their camps.* The next of the brothers' letters was written by James. The longest, and by far the most business-like of his j)roductions as yet, it brings matters down to within a few days of the battle of Dettingen. Camp near Ascliaffenburg, June 21st, 1713, n.s. Dear Sir, Captain Rainsford joined the regiment yesterday ; he ])rought us your letter, and made us both very happy with the good news of yours and my mother's health. Wc also got a letter from you by the post. Your kindness is greater tliau our best behaviour can deserve, and wc arc infinitely liai)py in having so good parents. ]\Iy brother is at present very much fat'^ucd with the hard duty he has had for some days past. He was on a party last night, and saw shot fired in earnest, but was in no great danger, because separated from the enemy by the river ]\layne, * ' Loudou Gazette,' no. 8230. Walpole, writinij to Sir K. Mann about this time, says : — " The post is come : no battle ! Just as they wore niart'hiug against the French thej' received orders fi'bm Hanover not to engage, for the (Jueen's (ienerals thought tliey were interior, and were jwsitive against fighting. Lord Stair, with only the English, pro- ceeded, and drew out in order, but though the Freneh were then so vastly superior they did not attack him." (Letters, vol. i. p. 251.) i'< t.* ! 38 MFE 01' WOLl'E. The French arc on the other side that river, about a mile from us. Wc have now and tlien small skirmishes with those people. They attacked the other night a party of our men, but were repulsed with the loss of an officer and four or five men killed, and some made prisoners. They desert prodigi- ously ; there were yesterday no less than forty deserters in the camp, that came over in the middle of the day, and brought with thorn great numbers of horses, for the river is fordablc. 'Tis said there are 2000 Austrian hussars come to us ; I fancy they will harass them a little. The Ilessiaris, Pultcncy's and Bligh's regiments have not yet joined us, as likewise some Hanoverian horse. I believe we only wait for them to attack our cnemv. Wc shall soon know what we are to do now that our King is come. His Majesty came two days ngo. The Duke of Cumberland is declared ]\Iajor-General. The Earl of Stair had like to have been hurt by an escort of two squadrons of English and Hanoverian cavalry (when he was reconnoitring the enemy), who retreated m ith a little too much haste before some squadrons of French hussars, who, upon their retreat, fired upon them, and killed a trooper and a dragoon of ours. The reason of the retreat, as I heard, was this, — the word being given to a sergeant and twelve men, who were an advanced guard, to go to the right about, the whole did it, thinking they were ordered, and, I fancy, at the odd and unexpected appearance of the hussars out of a wood. However, they were rallied by General Cope, and would have charged the hussars had they been permitted. Colonel Duroure, who acts as Adjutant-General, was thrown from his horse yesterday by a Hanoverian discharging his i)ist()l just by him, and w\as much bruised. Wc are all sorry for it. He has been very good to his ensigns this march ; wc have had the use of his canteens whenever he thought we had occasion for them. We are now near forty miles from Frankfort, which we marched in two days and two nights, with about nine or ten hours' halt, in order to gain a pass that is here, and now in our possession. The men were almost starved in that march. They nor the otfiecrs had little more tluin bread and water to live on, aud that very I a ]/i3~i;5.] CJIIENT. — ASCII AlFKNBUlUl. 39 a mile ;li those nr men, r or five prodigi- rsin the brought fordahlc. ; I fancy ley's and isc some to attack do now lays ago. an escort xy (when th a little L hussars, a trooper cat, as I cant and the right !d, and, I c hussars [^val Cope, )crmittcd. ral, was Ischarging \c are all signs this kievcr he licar forty days and i\ order to J The men Ihccrs had [that very I i 1 5 scarce, because they had not the ammunition bread the day it was due. liut I believe it could not be helped. Wo have left a very fine country to come to the worst I ever ^aw. 1 believe it is in the Prince of Hesse's dominions. The King is in a little palace in such a town as T believe he never lived in before. It was ruined by the Hanoverians, and everything almost that was in it carried off by them, some time before he came. They and our men }iow live by marauding. I hope we shall not stay here long ; if we do, I don't know how it will be possible to get provisions. The French are biu-ning all the villages on the other side of the ;Mavne, and we ravaging the coimtry on this side. I am now doing, and have done ev*,/ since we encamped, the duty of an adjutant. I was afraid when I first under- took it that the fatigue Mould be too much for me, but now I'm used to it, I think it will agree very well with me, at ](>ast I hope so. Brigadier Hnskc inquires often if I have heard from you lately, and desires his compliments to you. He is extremely civil to me, and I am much obliged to him. lie has desired his Erigade-Major, Mr. Blakeney, who is a very good man, to instruct me all he can. jNIy brother intends writing very soon. "We both join in love and duty to you and my mother, and 1 am, dear Sir, Your dutii'ul and aft'ectionate Son, J. Wolfe. Vi 40 CHAPTER III. CAMPAIGNS. 1743-1715. w G FiEN King ueorgc II., accompanied by his son tlio Duke of Cunibci'land, and his Minister Lord Carteret, arrived at the camp of the allies, he found the army most critically situated. The Earl of Stair, who commanded the British and llanoveritm troops, numbering about 40,000 men, having been joined by some Austrian re- giments under the Duke d'Arend)erg, the two com- manders, instead of concerting for the general welfare, were not only divided in their counsels, but at actual enmity one uith the other. The confederates were cooped up in a valley, bounded on one hand by impass- able mountains, and on the other by the river Maine, the opposite bank of which was occupied by a French army of (50,000 men, under the most skilful general of the time, the Due de Noailles. Their reinforcements intercepted and their supplies cut oft", the men, already almost starved upon the march, were reduced to half ra- tions, while the horses were dying from want of forage. Under such circumstances, there remained but " a choice of dillieulties " The allies must either surrender i I I7i;5-i.-..] CAMPAICJNS. 41 sou the Carteret, ;my most miiaiulecl in; about triau re- wo coiu- welt'arc, at actual cs were )' iiupass- r Maiue, a French rcueral of )rceuicnts 1, ah-eady half ra- foragc. m w (r but surr cuder to the French aruiy, or, hopeless though the project ap- peared, attempt a retreat upon llamui, where tlicir nia- <>-azines were situated, and where a Ilessiau and llano- veriau reiiiforceuient of 12,000 men was detained. The brave old King determined upon the latter alter- native. Accordingly, on the evening of Wednesday, the j2C)tli, the troops were ordered to strike their tents, and lie on their arms all night. At daybreak next morning, ithout beat of drum or sound of trumpet, but " with rcat secrecy and silence," as they fancied, they began to move. But Noailles no sooner perceived them in mo- tion than he altered his position, and then sent a large detachment of his army, conmianded by his nephew, the Due de Grannnont, across the river to the village of Dettingcn, there to await the approach of the retiring foe. ^^'hen the English King saw the French pouring over the bridge, he halted his columns, and innnediately (hew up his arujy in order for battle. ]\Iean while the French batteries, on the other side of the Maine, opened a deadly lire, and the position which the allies had oc- cupied at Aschaffenburg was already in the enemy's possession. Had Granmiont been prudent enough to wait for the arrival of the retreating army at the defile near Det- tingen, no human power could have saved it from de- struction ; but, fortunately for the allies, the impetuous Frenchman, forsaking his advantageous position, passed the ravine, and advanced upon his op[)oncnts, now xoady to receive him upon an ecpuil footing. Noailles, certain as he was of his prey, when informed of his lieutenant's fatal error, was struck with dismay ; and after ordering 42 T,IFE OF WOI.I'K. liis batteries, to whicli liis own men were now exposed, to cease tlicir fire, lie advaneed with the remainder of his army to tiie assistaiiee of Ciranniiont's division. Jiiit too late ! This preliminary sketch will serve to introduce the simple aci^onnt of the haltle which yonng Edward Wolfe sent home to liis mother. .Iiiiio lUth, o. s. [;JOth, N.S.J, 1713. Dearest jNladani, I take the very first op[)orluiiity I can to acciuaint you that my hrotlur and self cscapcMl in the ciij!;a are repeated by James in his more detailed and masterly report to liis father. IKielist, .My'lth. N.S., 171:3. Dear Sir, This is the first time that 1 have been able or have had the least time to write, otherwise I should have done it when my brother did. The fatigue I iiad the day we fought and the day after made me very nnieh out of order, and I was olliged to keep my tent for two days. Bleeding was of great service to me, and I am now as well as ever. The armv Mas drawn out this dar sc'nnight between a wood and the river JNIaine, near a little village, called Det- tiiigen, in five lines — two of foot and three of horse. The cannon en both sides began to ])lay about nine o'clock in the morning, and wc were exposed to the fire of theirs (said to * The writin<^, penned tbouj^h (lie letter was in (lie confusion of a camp tent, probably on the end of a trunk, is very creditable ; the .-pclling. too, \vi(h one exception, is correct. Many a competitor for a (iovcnuueut appoinlmcnl now docs iui* worse. 44 J.I IK or woMi;. be above fifty pirros) for near three l:ours, n prcat ;»ort of wliieb Hanked us terril)ly from the other Hich* the ^\.>'' ••. lUc French wcic all the while drawn up in si^lit of u:, /.\ this side. About twelve o'eloek we niarehed towards them ; thev advanced likewise, and, as uear as I can jjucss, the fi^ht bej^an about one. The (Jriis ilWniifs,* or Munsiiiivtu'n'i-s (iris, at- tacked the first line, eomposi-d of nine; rc;;iments of l']ii of cowardice. "I can't lielp ob- serving,'," concludes the advocate, " that this repulse was lucky in its consequences, and not a little instrumental in ifaiuing the victory; for tlie French household troops, fhislied with their success, ran in directly u])on the line of our infantry, who flanked them, gave them tlieir whole lire, and almost tore them to pieces." !See Cieutlenian's Mag., vol. xiij. p. ;iNl. i;i:'.-l.".. CA.MrAKiNS. 45 L* ;»ort of ii, -.A thin cm ; thoy i;lit Ix'j^iiu { Gris, ivt- )!' Kiij-lisli novcrians. I line, out V wluH U'd, t an onicci lirounU tlic ■('"iuK'nt of :lioir army, r Horse to families in than their heir Ilorso Ni'ithor side had like to lorsct fn-ed taekcd the ." The Gcus 1)11 a full trot, III oiic'li liaiiil, I, iiiul ft'll oil p.3'.».) |u> periodicals •ror to inipe- II want of I'X- \\\\'i lit'lp oil- lucky in its victory ; for \\n in directly [^ them tlicir 'mail's Ma;,'., Trench with tlieir swords, hnw^ so much stron^^er and heavier, tlicv would certainly have heat them. Their excuse for re- treating]; — they could not nuike their horses stand the fire ! The third and last attack was made hy the Foot on hoth sides. \\'e advanced towards one another ; our men in hif-h spirits, nnd very imptitient for fij-htiu};;, hein*;' elated with Ijcatiuj; the French Horse, part of which a(lvan(;ed towards ns; while the rest jittacked our Horse, hut were soon driven hack hy tlie «rreat fire w(' d, it is tlie opinion of most jjooplc, that of 2r/)()0 men they l)ronj;ht over the IVFaine, they wonld not have repassed with half that nnniher. WIumi they retreated, several jjieees of our artillery played upon them, and made terrihlc havoc; at last we fol- lowed them, but too late ; they had almost all passed the riven*.* One of the bridges broke, and in the hurry abundance were drowned. A great number of their oflieers and men were taken j)risoners. Their loss is computed to be between six and jcven thousand nuni, and ours three thousand. His Majesty was in the midst of the Htaire of the name of Girardau, on the ground. 'Begin,' he said, 'with the Freneh oOicer; he is more wounded than I am, and I shall be certain of asMstanee, which he is not.' " (Memoirs of the AfTuirs of Euro])e, etc., London, 1821), vol. ii. p. 179.) i;i:i-l.").] CA.MPAICiNS. 17 oil, it is hrou^lit half that artillery it we t'ol- \ssc(l the bvuulancc and men i between (1. the Duke mnsqnet- timcs the egan, and c cannon- iiness, and I liigh de- d behaved I I somc- vrms, logs, " The 01(1 tlio fDViiun- il tl'L' river, [liV of" them uii sujot do Inomina Ics la, rt'pandro loyal Dulvo's (avouralile ier Voltaire rave a proof j. and a sur- Ic'd a Freneli Be^in,' he am, and I If the Affairs Soldier," and vory deservedly. A horse I rid of the Coloiud's at the first attaok was shot in one of his hinder logs, and threw nio; so I was obliged to do the duty of an adjutant all that and the next day on toot, in a pair of heavy boots. I lost with the liorse, furniture and pistols which cost me ten ducats; but three days after the battle got the horse again, A\ith the ball in hini, — and he is now almost well again, — but without fni-niture and pistols. A brigade of English and another of Hanoverians arc in garrison in this town, which we are I'ortifying daily. We nvc detached i'roni the grand army, which is encamped between Frankfort and Ilanau, about twelve miles off. They talk of a second battle soon. Count Khevcnhiiller"'^ and ^Marshal Iiroglic arc cxj)eeted to join the two armies in a few days. AVc are very Aveli situated at present, and in a i)lentiful country. Had we staved a few davs lonj'or at Aschaircn])urg wc had been all starved, for the French wonld have cut off our communication with Frankfort. I'oor Cap- tain ]Merrydan is killed. Pray, mine and my brother's duty to my mother. AVc hope you are both perfectly well. I am, dear Sir, Your dutiful and aflcctionatc Son, J. WoLFi;. It has already been stated that the ensign, when (piartered in Ghent, was preparing himself for a wider sphere of action than cai-rying colom-s. Yet one cannot but be astonished to find a boy nnder seventeen years of age, who had had litth? more than a year's military experience, adecpiatc to the post of adjutant, and that, too, in the field. The duties of this office do not nnich * Field-^rarslial Andrew, Count of Khevenhiiller-Frankcnhurg. Tliere is no name more renowned in Austria than tluit of Kheveu- iiiiller, or one that ean boast of having; rendered more signal serviees to the sovereign. An interesting aeeount of the I'amily castle on tho shore of tlie Attar See, and a letter of the ICm])ress ^faria Tlieresa's to tlie Count, may he found iu the ' rarthenon,' December 27, 18G2. mi 48 LIFE OK WOLrK. differ now from wlint tlicy were in Wolfe's time ; and in these "Volunteer" days it would be su|)ererogatory to explain tliem.* "To he able to connnand men pro- perly," says an old military writer, " we shoidd first know them, to have seen them in diflerent stations, to watch the most minute movements of their souls, to dis- tinguish their talents, to form and employ them a propose. There is no profession in which all this is so absolutely necessary as that of arms ; it is impossible for a man who fails in these respects to connnand a discipline, that is to say, to form soldiers for the most laborious and fatiguing exercises, to wean them from any kind of will or opinion, to reduce them to an obedience the most exact and implicit, and froui stubborn clowns to form machines only animated by the voice of their otliccrs, beats of drum, or sounds of fife. Kverv one certainly has not these talents ; a man may be alert in his busi- ness and expert in conducting a march, commandinij; a company, or even a regiment, but yet very far from l)eing able to make a perfect adjutant. It is therefore evident that the discipline shouhl not be trusted but to sensible and experienced officers."! From the fact of a mere youth's filling so onerous a post, two inferences may be drawn ; first, the inca[)acity of older officers, and secondly, the extraordinary vigoui' and ability of the young soldier. We also have good proof that he j)erformed the trying duties he had volun- teered with a[)[)lause ; for within five days after the battle he was appointed adjutant of his regiment, by * Sec Grose's 'Military Aiiliquitios.' t * Tlie Military Guide,' by Tlionuis Simcs, Esq. I 17i:5-45.] CAMPAIGNS. 49 ail (1 ill ;atoi'y to icn pro- \\\d first itious, to s, to (lis- a propos. ibsolutcly )!• a man )liiic, that rious and id of will the most IS to form ir oiVicci's, ) certainly bis biisi- nmaiidiii^ far from therefore ed but to onerous a incapacity Jury vigoui' |liavc good liad volim- after the [iiiient, by royal commission,* and a fi'w days later was promoted (o a lieutenancy. t Jlut, "Not once or t\vic(> in our VDUirli island stor}'. 'J'lic jKitli of duty ,V!is llu' way to i;lory." Yet it would be wrong to conelude that mer(> merit, or the strictest attention to the routine business of a company oflicer, would have been siillicieiit to gain pro- motion in those corrupt times, when hundreds of meri- torious men remained subalterns all their lives, ior, as tlic " noble lord," in continuation of the dialogue before ([uoted from, exclaims. " My dear, dear Sir, what is the merit of a subaltern ollicer?" It is therefore to the rare talent for command exhibited by Wolfe so early in his career, that his rapid advancement must be attributed. The discomfiture of the French army opened a jiassagc for the allies to llanau, whither they marched the morn- ing after the battle, leaving the wounded to the cai'e of tlie eniiiiv, who treated them with ! ground yesterday. It was possessed hy the French heforc the action of Dettingen. The fortifica- tions of the Sv/iss camj) (who would not i)ass the Rhine) are just by, and those where the l)ri(lgc was that the French went over upon is close to it. The boats that made our bridge below Mentz are expected here to-morrow for the Dutch trooi)s to come over, who, we hear, will be with us in six or seven days. There arc numbers of reports relating to Prince Charles's army, so that I won't pretend to send you any account of it, onl}' that most people think he has not passed the Rhine. The French are now encamped between Landau and Wissemberg. Ca])tain Kainsford says if they have anv spirit they will attack us here before we are joined by the Dutch, and so I believe our commanders think, for they have just given orders to have all encumbrances removed fi'oni before the front of each regiment, in order to turn out at a minute's warning, and a chain of sentries are to be imme- diately placed in front of the camp. Otu* camp is tolerable strong; we are open in the front, with hills, from which camion cannot do us nuich harm. At tlu; bottom of these hills is a little rivulet; in our rear is the Rhine. The left is ■i i;i:i-ir).] CAMPATGNS. 51 ," wvites no moro TOUl OIU! ; crossed artcrs at )urourc's . s., 1713. vro, I liad :ny motlirr (wliidi wc. iswcring it it tic below s possessed ic fovtifiea- llhiue) are rcneh went our bridge the Dutch Is in six or en Landau y bavc any Ined by tlie r tbcv have lOved iVoni n out at a be ininu- lis tolerabK' Vom uliieh ill of tlu>(' The left is secured by the town of Worms, and the ripjht is open ; l)ut ucither tlie front nor rii^ht have j^reater openin<,'s than wo liavc troops to fill them up ; so I believe wc are pretty safe. T am just uow told that a party of our hussars have taken a French iiraud tjuard ; they have killed the captain and tliir- tvvn men, and have bronf>-ht sivty-fonr to AVorms. I'm cou- vinced of tlie truth, because some !2;cntleiueu of onr regiment saw them go along the line, and are going to buy some )f the horses. I canuot tell if the Duke of Cumberland knows what vou mentioiu'd in your letter; I have uever had any oppor- tunity of inquiring. It is but a few days tliat he is rome al)road : lie has marched, since wc crossed the Uliine, at the lien^l of his second line of English, wliieh is his post. Ilo is very brisk, and quite cured of liis woimd. His presence eneourai ^ the troops, and uiakes them ready to undertake anything, Having so brave a man at the head of them. I lio])e some day or other to liave the honour of knowie.g liim better than I do now; 'tis what 1 wish as much as anything in the world (except tlio pleasure which I hope to enjoy when it shall please (lod), that of seeing my dear friends at Circen- wich. lV)or Colonel Duronre is, I am afraid, in great danger; wc left him on the other side of the Rhine very ill with a bloody flux. Onr major is at the same place likewise, very much out of order. Onr colonel was never u'lorc wanted to t'ommand us than now. I shall say nothing now of the behaviour of the Hlno (iuards; I wish they may do better next time, and I don't doubt but they will. Tt would give nuj a great deal of sor- row if they d ' pot. AVe have a great deal of sickness amongst us, so 1 believe the sooner we engage (if it is to be) the better. 1 hoi)e yon, Sir, and my mother are perfectly well, I lieart.ily wish it, and that you may continue so. ^ly brother joins with mc in duty and love to both. I am, dear Sir, Your dutiful and aflectionatc Son, J. A\ Oli'i:. i; i r,.) iilFE or WOLFE. The I'Vcnch made no attack upon the camp at AVornis. Prince Charles of Lorraine having driven l)e lh"o«^lie across tlie Rhine, near Maniieini, Marechal de Noailles, fin(Hng liiuiself })laced between two great hostile armies, destroyed his own magazines and withdrew to the French frontier on the Lanter, leaving all Germany unoccupied by an enemy. The King of England returned to London, and the cam])aign of 1743 was at an end. Although the result of the year's warfare was by no means commensurate to the popular expectations, his IMnjesty was heartily welcomed home by liis peoj)le. Handel had set to work immediately after the news of the victory arrived, once more to compose nnisic for the sublime hynni attributed to St. Ambrose, and produced upon this occasion the last and grandest of his Tc Deiiina. rive times within the s})are of thirty years the great composer set the same words, and " always with new- beauties, always with a fresh colour;"* for although, as is asserted by an excellent authority, he borrowed ten movements of the Dcftint/c/i Te Dcum, without acknow- ledgment, from an old Italian master, yet he " picked up a i)ebble and r'.anged it to a diamond."! After two re- liearsals in AVhitehall Cha})el, the Tc Dcuni and Anthem were solenmly sung before the King on the 27th of Xo- vend)cr in the lloyal Chapel of St. James's. It seems to brinn; those old times nearer to us when we read in Mrs. Dt iany s letter : — " Mrs. IVrcival came to invite us to dint with her yestcday, and to go in the m * Sohcelclier's 'Life of ITaiKlcl,' p. 283. t Vincent Noveilo, in the preface to his edition of Pui'ceU'.s t«aerccl Music, (luotcd from Schielcher, p. 2.S I. # I7i:5-;').] CAMPATfiNS. 53 Vonus. iouilk'-s, armies, French iccupied Loudon, s l)y no ons, liis people. news of c for the produced \' JJeuiiis. ;he great ith new lough, as )wed ten aeknow- )icked up r two re- Antheui h of No- \is when livid came ym in the morning to Whitehall Chapel to hear Mr. Handel's new Tc Dcinii rehearsed, and an anthem. It is excessively line. I Avas all rajjture, and so was your friend I). 1)., as you may iuiagiuc. Everybody says it is the iinest of his compositions. I am not well enough actiuaiuted with it to pronounce that of it ; but it is heavenly."* Tlu; (excitement of the populace in consecpience of the battle of Dcttiiigcn was excessive. That incomparable letter-writer who " scoiVed at Courts and ke[)t a chronicle of their most trilling scandal," but who, nevertheless, depicts the passing events of his day most vividly, tells his friend J\Ir. Chute : — " I cx})ect to be drunk with hogs- heads of Maine-water, and with odes to his JMaiestv and the Duke, .and Te Detnus. . . . We are all mad — drums, trumpets, bum})ers, bonfires ! The mob are wild, and cry, "Long live King George, and the Duke of Cumber- land, and Lord Stair, and Lord Carteret, and General Clayton, that's dead '"f AMiile such was the prevailing delirium at home, the cainj) at AVorms was broken up, and the regiments re- paired to their old stations for the winte r. Duroure's formed part of the fifth division, \uuler Major-Gencral the Earl of Rothes, and reached Brussels on the 22nd of November, whence tlu; regiment marched to Ostend, where the Adjutant remained until the opening of the ensuing campaign.! The fatigue ami cxeitenuuit of the late campaign were too trying for the delicate constitution and gentle dispo- Icll's Sacred * Anlobiot^rajiliy. vol. ii. p. 222. t Wiilpolo'.s Lftti'i'.s (C"iiiiiuiiLi,h;uii). vol. i. p. 2')o. X Jvei'ords of tlio British Army (C'auuou), TwcHlIi rcgijiicut. 51 1,1 FK OF WOLl'i;. sitioii of young I'ldwiinl Wolfo, and as his rcgiinciit was now stationed so near England, he embraced the oppor- tunity to visit home and enjoy for a short time the (piiet and comfort of tlie j)aternal roof. Although James hke- wisc was by no means a strong or hardy youth, yet his mihtary enthusiasm and invincible spirit, a})parently at least, counteracted for the present any detriment which his iiealth may have suffered by the hardships he had undergone. " Don't tell me of constitution," said he, years afterwards, when it was remarked that a certain oiliccr, who had been ill, was a poor i)uny creature ; " he has good spirits, and gootl spirits will carry a man through everything." These words arose from his personal expe- rience. It is evident that his own spirits were good at this time, from the following letter, the oidy one that exists of the correspondence between the brothers : — ■ Osteud, March 2lst, o.s., "WtHlncsday, 1711. Dear Ned, I got yours of yesterday from Dover l)y a gentleman who was so j;o()(l to take it up aud briug it to me from thence. I expected to luive had my box at the same time, for I iliouglil our goiuj^ to Euii,Uiud (or rather the appearance of it) was en- tirely laid aside. I shall be obliged to you if you'll take tlu; first op[)ortunity of sendiug it. 1 Avaut it very much. I have not a [)air of boots I can wear. Tlie regiment will be out soon ibr ex.'rcisc. You aud I are to be tented together next cani- paij>u. The manpicc is making, aud will cost us about CI. 1 shall scud to Ghent very soon to bespeak a cart, which, with harness for two horses, I'm told Mill come to tlO or there- abouts. I shall get everything I liiul necessary for us; so you need not be in any paiu about your eciuipaiic. 1 think Raiusford is not so brutal as to send you from England, who have done all his duty, these three or four i « I7i:?-^^.] CAMl'AFONS. OJ cut was ) ()p[)Ol'- lic ([uict lies likc- , yet liis t-eiitly at nt which IS he hiul said he, a cci'taiu urc; "he A througli )iial expe- e good at one thai licrs : — :lay, 171 1. lemaii who thence. I • I thouglit it) WHS Cll- 1 take tlu; li. I Ikvvo )C out soon next cani- uhout Ivhich, ^Mtll |{) or there- for us: so y ou ■ce or troia four months. Sure he knows better. I have a better opinion of his undcrstandinf^. I hear of no promotion in the regiment, except Thickhead* has got his father's company. Stephens is certainly going out. lie is to be surgeon to the second troop of llorsc (iuards, and sell his employment with us ; so you'll get a step by that. Jiydcr, I believe, will get the sargconship. I'm glad you find the mantua-makcr pretty ; 1 thought so, I assure you. I give up all pretensions. Pray use her kindly, l^oubtless you U)vc the company of the fair sex. If vou should liappen to go where ]\[is3 Seabourg is^ pray don't fall in love with her. I can't give her up tamely Remember I'm your rival. I'm also in some pain al)out i\iss W . Admire anywhere else and welcome (except the wide .v Hright) . INIiss Patterson is yours if you like her, and so is the little staring girl in the chapel, with .£,'20,000. Pray give my duty to my niother. I hope she is well. The plnni-eakc she gave me was very good, and of singular service to me.f I don't believe the box would hold any. They say it is particularly wholesome at Ostend. I am, dear Ned, Sincerely yours, J. WoLFi:. N'oubliez point mcs complimens u ces ach. rabies femmcs, (pie je viens de noramer. To L'aiit!iiii+ Wolfe, at Bri'j;a(Ii( title of " L'ai>laiu " was merely complimentary. EiUvard was tstill an Eiisigu. ^■'4 60 lAVV. OF WOLFF,. Fourtli, or Kiiif^'s Rcgiinent of Foot, cotninandcd by Liciitciiant-CjciUM'al l^invll. I'ldward also, on Ins ritiini to tli'j Continent, rcjoini'd liis old corps ns Licutumnt; and l)oth Harrcll's and Duronrc's joined the army under the coinnwuid of Field-Marshal Wade, at the rn)H[) near the l)aid;s of the Scheldt, wIutc the allies lay for some time inactive. Cardinal Flemv liavinG; died ia \7[i\, the I'ih nch Co- I/O ' vcrnment al)aiidoning all care for economy, delermined to use every i.icans in order, if possible, to render the Yc'iiin of Louis XV. as •j-lorious as his predecessor's. Jj' ]Ji('//-r/i//ir, now in the fortieth year of his age, and in person, at least, evi ry inch a king, took the field early in May, 1711, with ;m army of 120,000 men under the immediate command of Marechal Sa\e. On the 15th of the month Louis arrived at Lisle, and on the I "^ih Court rai surrendered to him, — a loss to the allies that was speedily followed by tlie fall ( Menin and of Ypres. iMenin, situ- ated about ter; milos south-ea>:t of Ypres, though but a small town, was remarkable for the strength of its forti- fications, which were considered a master[)iecc,* and the city of Ypres, one of the barriers of the Austrian Low Countries, though esteemed impregnable, wjis shame- fully delivered up by the Dutch, garrison almost as soon as the French came before it, together with the whole chartelary.f Some account of affairs at this juncture * " Tlio Froiifli hiitterini; t'iinnou wore of tlio first onlor and tlieir eiigiiu'ors of till' lii,u;liost reputation. Tl\ese ailvanta;;i'.s (le])eiul more upon sehools of science and rej^ular niai^a/ines than any other of the moans of \var.''are. and in tliese the superiority of tlu* Fivnch was un- disputed." (Lord llusseU's 'Memoirs of tlic AiTair.s of ICuiope,' cte., vol. ii. p. isi.) t iSimes's .Military Guide. m led by rrtnrn U imnt ; I under up noiii" )!• some iicli Go- ermiiu'd ider tlic r's. lo and in early in iider the > 1 r)th ol' Court rai speedily nin, situ- ;li but a its forti- and the ian Low slianie- as soon ic whole juncture and llioir ])i.'ucl nioro llior of till' Icli was iin- lioyo,' otc, I 17l.'l-l''.] (AMPAHiNS. 57 will be found in u letter U\)\\\ lulward Wolfe to his father : — Caini) near ncrliiiLiliani, .rime 17tli, (>. s., 17 1 1. Dear Sir, 1 inii sorry to inform you of so disn'ijrccablo a \i\v.co. of nCNV« as YprcH Ikmuj,' sun-mulcred after a si(>};(; of ci.i;lit days. No (loal)t but it jijivi-s y^rcat spirits to our cncniy, who, 'tis said, have lost very few men; lint I have not yet heard their loss. We have some expectations of their visitiniif us next. They have a party of men very near our ad\ i-v\\ ^rtiard, on the other side of the Selicldt. However, v re jjrepared for them; so they won't fnul it very easy to tliat river. AVc suspeet the designs of Duke d'llarcourt, with liis army, be- tween thirty and forty thousand men, who, 'tis said, are en- ciunped between Mons and ^NlaubcM'^e. Our last motion, I'm tohl, retarded the siep;e of Ypres two days. They, expectiuf^ we were coming towards them, were under arms a quarter of an liour after we left our ground. I have a list of our army, which I would willingly send vou, but ^Faior llainsford gave it nie, and desired T would be cautious of showing it, and advised me not to venture send- in"' it over. AVe are in hopes of the six I'nglish regiments eoniing to join us with (iOOO Dutch. The wiiul has been fair for bringing them to Ostend ; but we don't hear they are landed. Duke de Chartres was killed at the siege of Yprcs. He was one of their chiefs, and a very cxperieneed otlicer. The French had a hundred pieces of cannon and five or six batte- ries of small mortars. The taking of the town is really no great feat, if we consider the strength of the garriscn, which \^as said to be but four weak battalions. I wrote to my dear mother by Sergeant Somerset, who I sn[)posc will be with you before you receive this. 1 don't doubt but she is in some a[)[)rehensions of onr being in danger ; but I hope she'll not fright herself while we continue in health, as we are both now. We have had no fatigue yet in compa- I \ 1 : ^7^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) h WJ. 7* %s:x :/ 1.0 ^i I.I M 1125 ."^ l££ 11 2.0 IL25 i 1.4 Sciences Corporation 1.8 1.6 \ qv "% V :i •i>' :\ \ 6^ ^ >^' >> 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 k '%'■ 58 LIFE OF WOLFE. risou of that \vc had in Germany ; l)ut nobody knows what wc may liavc. AVc arc here a defensive army, and fewer in nnmbers than Ave were last campaign ; still we never dcsj)air of coming off with laurels whenever wc meet our enemy. Our men keep np their spirits. The taking of these two towns and the number of men they imagine the French have docs not in the least deject them, but makes them only wish for a meeting. My brother desires his duty to you and my dearest mother. I am, dearest Sir, Yom- dutiful and afTcctionate Son, Ei)w. Wolfe. I return you many thanks for my Lieutenancy. The day after the above letter was written Fort Kuocque suiTendered to the Dae de Boufflers, and on the nth of July Count de Clermont fixed the French colours on the walls of Furness.* But the further pro- gress of the arms of FVance in Flanders was at length arrested ])y the news that Prince Charles of Lorraine, at the head of an Austrian army of 60,000 men, had passed the Rhine, and driven the Trench before him to the ramparts of Strasburg. Consequently Louis, to avert the impending danger, withdrew with half of his forces, leaving Saxe with the rcmahider to maintain their conquests. The allies had now a favourable op- portunity of effecting some important operations, but the jealousy of D'Aremberg, the Austrian general, and the tardiness of the Dutch, under Count Maurice of Nassau, frustrated Wade's designs, and the campaign ended in- gloriously. * Dr. CluiUico, ' Secret History of tUo Court uf Fr-incc uudci' Louis XV.' i7i;5-i.'.J CAMPAIGNS, 59 iQ;tli The year which had opened so prosperously was destined not to close without bringing a great aillictiou to tlic Wolfes. In October young Edward fell, but not by war. Although we are not informed of what disease he died, there can be but little doubt that it was con- sumption, accelerated by the hardships of campaigning, against which his frail frame was ill adapted to struggle. The mortal blow was all the heavier, in that the amiable " old soldier " departed amongst strangers in a foreign land. Even his brother, though not far distant, — igno- rant of, or perhaps, in the hopefulness of youth, un- willing to realize the near a[)proach of death, — was not l)y to comfort his last moments ; for, unaware how^ im- minent was the danger, James was restrained by a sense of duty from quitting his post. It is satisfactory, how- ever, to be assured that the dying lad was attended by a faithful servant ; and though his death-bed was un- watchcd by any member of his own family, it is rea- sonable to conclude that among his brother-officers he found the sympathy and attention of a friend; for all the family — father, mother, and sons — were endowed with the power of winning the friendship of those, cither of higher, equal, or lower rank, with whom they came in contact. The loss of their younger son was keenly felt by the Ih'igadier and Mrs. Wolfe, and the sorrow of the be- reaved brother is pathetically expressed in a letter to his mother soon after the sad occurrence. ' ■! uudcv Ghent, 29th October, 1711, o.s. Dear Madam, I received your letter this morning with a great deal of •a CO LIFE OF WOLFE. pleasure, and have w\i\\ this wrote to my ^atlier about corning to ]*]nglan(l. I liopc lie uill be able to get the better of some obstacles, and I sh-'dl be sincerely happy. Poor Ned wanted nothing but the satisfaction of seeing liis dearest friends to leave the worhl with tiic greatest tran- quillity. Tie often called on us. It gives me many uneasy hours when I reflect on the possibility there was of ray being with him some time before he died. God knows it was being too exact, and not apprehending the danger the poor fellow was in; and even that would not have hindered it had I received the physician's first letter. I know you won't be able to read this paragraph without shedding tears, as I do writing it ; but there is a satisfaction even in giving way to grief now and then. 'Tis what we owe the memory of a dear friend. Though it is the custom of the army to sell the deceased's effects, I could not suffer it. We none of us want, and I thought the best way would be to bestow them on the deserv- ing whom he had an esteem for in his lifetime. To his servant — the most honest and faithful man I ever knew — I gave all his clothes. ... I gave his horse to his friend Parry, with the furniture. I know he loved Parry, and I know for that reason the horse will be taken care of. His other horse I keep myself. I have his watch, sash, gorget, books, and maps, which I shall preserve to his memory. Everything else that I have not mentioned shall be taken care of, and given to proper persons. He was an honest and a good lad, had lived very well, and always discharged his duty with the cheerfulness becom- ing a good officer. He lived and died as a son of you two should, which, I think, is saying all I can. I have the me- lancholy satisfaction to find him regretted by his friends and acquaintances. His Colonel is particularly concerned for him, and desired I would assure you of it. There was in him the prospect (when ripened with experience) of good under- standing and judgment, and an excellent soldier. You'll ex- cuse ray dwelling so long on this cruel subject, but in re- 1713-1.").] CAMPAIGNS. 01 lilting this to you, vanity and partiality arc liauislicd. A strong desire to do justice to his memory occasions it. There wa« no part of his life that makes him dearer to me than that where you have often mentioned — he pined after me. It often makes me angry that any hour of my life should pass without thinking of him ; and when I do think of him, that though all the reasons I have to lament his loss arc now as for- cible as at the moment of his departure, I don't find my heart swell with the same sorrow as it did at that time. Nature is ever too good in blotting out the violence of affliction. For all tempers (as mine is) too much given to mirth, it is often necessary to revive grief in one's memory. 1 must once more beg you Avill excuse my tiresome length and manner of Avri- ting, but I know your indulgence. I'm just now going to write to my uncle Wolfe. I am, dearest jNIadam, Your dutiful and affectionate Son, J. Wolfe. kvell, cora- two ime- and for I him Ider- ex- re- The character of his brother is so clearly and touch- ingly drawn by Wolfe, that even if it came within our scope it would be unnecessary to dilate upon the brief earthly career ^f one who may be classed with those who "come like shadows, so depart." We have done with the Old Soldier. " He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more." It is not surprising that our young Captain should have looked forward with aversion to the prospect of passing another winter in Ghent, and that in the loneli- ness of his heart he longed for the society of his home. But, unfortunately, the obstacles he anticipated proved to be insurmountable. In ftict, it may safely be concluded that he was too useful an officer to be spared ; and con- sequently, upon this, as well as upon many future occa- '( ' G-2 Lll'K OV WOLFE. '1 } '! sions, ho was denied the indulgence granted to otlicrs less wortliy of it. lie was very sensitive to such de- nials ; but whatever momentary resentment he may have felt, he did not neglect his duty. Indeed, mere duty did not reach his standard, and his sorrow was ere long dis- sipated in strenuous action ; for, as during his former abode in the old Flemish capital he had mastered the qualifications of an adjutant, so now, during the winter of 1744-5, he prepared himself for the higher position of l^rigade-Major — an office he was soon called upon to fill. Thus early did he cor.rt responsibility, and, as it w^re, try his wings, in order to soar in due time to the lofty goal which he ever kept in view. A few years ago, the fragment of a letter in Wolfe's handwriting was discovered in Glasgow. Though writ- ten subsequently, it depicts his own youthful behaviour, as well as exhibits his regard for the dignity of his pro- fession. The cover being lost, the name of the young officer to whom the letter was written cannot be told ; it only appears that he had recently joined Lord Charles Hay's regiment, and he is addressed as "Dear Iluty."* Omitting the practical details, a brief quotation will answer our purpose : — " The field you are now going into is quite new to you, but may be trod very safely if you only get into it by the proper entrance. I raakc ,' .1 * This intorostinij fragment was fonnd in the old military chest be- longing to Colonel Eiekson, along with Wolfe's lettei's to him. It appears to hare been writteii in the year 1750 or 1757, and probably was addressed to Mr. JIiir//i Lort, a nephew of Eickson's. The hand- writing is nndoid)tcdly "Wolfe's, and, by a curious noincidonce, the water-mark of the paper, Pj-o Patria. resembles his family motto, Pro Patrin:- awnro. See ' Notes and (^Jueries,' vol. a*. (1852), p. 219. 1713-15.] CAAIPAIGNS. ()3 no doubt but you Imvc entirely laid aside the boy and all boyish amusements, and have considered yourself a young man going into a manly })rofession, where you nuist be answerable for your conduct. Your character in life nnist be that of a soldier and a gentleman ; the first is to be acquired by ap})li(ation and attendance upon your duty, the second by adhering most strictly to the dictates of honour and the rules of good breeding." Although enough has been preserved to enable us to judge of AVolfe's early conduct, it is to be regretted that we have not that portion of the letter wherein he dilated upon honour and good breeding, as, from his counsel uj)on these points, we should probably have learned the secret by means of which, in spite of his fiery temperament, he won and retained for Ufe the friendship of his brother-officers. will hcnt, took it lagain, Vlary. tain ill sreut [piece. ?tb, ted it Id say The old regiment [Duroure's] has suffered very much; 18 officers and 300 men, killed and wounded ; amongst the latter is Major Rainsford. I believe this account uill shock you not Uicy don't doubt of ' wiiniing the rubber ; ' that Deltingcn and Fon- teiioy are 'only game and game.'" (Lady Sarah Cowper to Mrs. ])e\ves.) See Mrs. Delany's Autobiography, vol. ii. p. 35-1. * See Mrs. Dclany, as above. t The Eighth, or King's Own regiment of Foot, of wliicli Brigadier- General AVolfe had been appointed Colonel on the 25th of April, in room of Major-General Onslow. F tl no MFK OF WOT.IT,. 1 ii I !i 5' M ;'; , 'if ■ ! i a little; hut 'tis surprisiiif^ the iinmhcr of officers of hnver rank that arc gone.^ Tray, my duty to my mother. 1 am, dear Sir, Your dutiful and aflcctionatc Son, J. "NVoLFi:. As it has turned out, we may thank Providence we were not there. Wolfo was as lucky in quitting Ghent in good time, as in not having been present at lontcnoy. After the battle, his regiment was ordered to relieve one of those that had suffered in the engagement; and, on the 21st of ]\Iay, joined the army encamped upon the plains of Lessines.f Having taken Tournay, the French, on the 30th June, surprised Client; and a reinforcement sent by tlie allies, under the Hanoverian General, Molke, having been routed in a skirmish at ]\Ielle after five days' siege, tlic citadel surrendered. Ostend fell next. Such was the situation of affairs on the Continent, when the Government was obliged to withdraw the British forces from Flanders, to assist in suppressing the Jacobite rebellion in Scotland. In Loudon, no Tc Detim was sung this year. The French Marshal, " Bully Belle- isle," who had been for some time in England a jjrisoni.'r, declared " that he saw we were so little capable of making any defence, that he woidd engage, with 5000 scullions of the French army, to conquer England."! When told of the capture of Cape Breton by Pepperel's 4000 New * " 'Tis said tlic French king, lookin I r •J / ("■ fl I t I ■ !' / ;■ :> V * 1 ', I ! y 80 LIFE OF WOLFK. petitioned the Duke, and goes on to say, " Major \\'oi(e came to nie again and told me, that the Dnke had si-nt him to let me know that my petition had been read to hin), and that he wonld take care that everything should be restored to me. Notwithstanding this, when I sent to the house to ask for anything, as, in [)articulur, I did for a pair of breeches for my son, for a little tea for my- self, for a bottle of ale, for some flour to make bread, because there was none to be bought in the town, all was refused me." After some irrelevant matter, the narrator continues : — " I should have mentioned above that Major Wolfe did one day bring me my son's picture, but without the frame ; and he then told me that General llawley did with his own hands take it out of the frame, which was a gilt one, and very handsome. This frame the General left behind him, and I afterwards found it in the house."* More than one of the many who have formed a high estimate of Wolfe's character, either believe, or wish to believe, that he was not the ]\Iajor who figures in the above narrative. For instance, a Scotch friend writes to me : — " Our hero had too much kindness of heart to act so meanly and cruelly as the Bishop records ; at least I hope so, for I should be sorry to see even the least shade on his noble character." The able editor of the * Jacobite Memoirs ' likewise, in introducing the pa- pers connected with this subject, says in a note: — "It is proper to mention that the Major Wolfe here alluded to could hardly be the same person with the amiable hero * Bishop Forbes's 'Jacobite Memoirs,' edited by Eobert Chambers, 1834. il h. 17I.V If'-l NKWCASTI.r, ■I,OMK)N' 81 of QiR'bcc. Of tliis the editor luis Ixhmi sutisficcl l)y the polite attention of Mr. Soutlic}', who it is wi'll known lias made collections for a liil'e of (leneral Wolfe." \\y what means Sonthcy arrived at his conjectnre cannot ho ascertained, bnt most j)rol)al)ly the wish was father to the thong-ht. For my own part, I am persuaded that our lioro was the man ; and 1 cannot sec any leason why his most ar- dent admirers should hesitate to idi-ntify liim in associa- tion with the afl'air. lie, a staft'-otricer, was ordered i)y his superiors to perform a certain service — neitlier a plea- sant nor an honourable one, it is true, — and knowing; that a soldier's first duty is obedience, be did perform it with, as it a})i)ears to me, exceeding tact and discernment for a young man of nineteen. jNIrs. Gordon, it is evident, was a lady of some substance, yet what she conld want with so large a store of salt beef, pickled pork, brandy, rum, tea, chocolate, etc., as is included in her inventory, it is not easy to imagine. In the said inventory there is an item moreover which looks rather suspicious, viz. " One set of blue and white, ten dishes, forty plates, and three dozen plates. Note. These were not my own, but ?('('re sent to wij house to see if I would buy them." If the reader will now turn back to the words I have italicized in the lady's statement, I think it will strike him as highly probable that Mrs. Gordon had concealed the property of some of her proscribed friends. If this be so, the drift of Wolfe's shrewd replies to her demands is apparent. In restoring the portrait, his own feelings may have prompted him to go beyond his duty. According to the records of the regiment, Barrell's ' , ^i: (i S 82 f.irr, oi- woi.FK. ■! ii y > 1 t , ( fonnod part of tlu; udvjmcc-pjunrd imdi r Miij()r-0(Mioral liliii"!, which procccch'd to liivcniry on tho 121 li of Marc'ii, iuid on the 17th iulvaiircd to Strathshonjic to attack a i'cl)cl force, which Ih'd at tlicir approach. It docs not f()iii)\v, however, tlmt Wolfe wns with this (hvi- sion, for, being a stalf-ollieer, he may liave reniainid with tlio grand army. On tlic Otli of April tlie Dnke issned orders to march next day J I)nt before (he troops were in motion intelh- gcnce arrived that the ' Sheerncss,' man-of-vvnr, after hav- ing chased tin; 'Hazard' shiop, abont fifty leagnes, liad driven her ashore and oljHgcd the French and Spaniards aboard to hind. It tlierefore became necessary to send a dctadiment against these men, who were soon snb(hie(l, and a large snp|)ly of arms, etc., with €1 2,000 in money, destined for the Chevalier's use, were seized. The day following, Tuesday the 8tli, his Royal High- ness (piitted Aberdeen, and the weather being now calm the transports at the same time sailed along shore with a favourable wind. Having forded the Spey without opposition, the army entered Nairn on the 11th. As the Duke's birthday fell upon the 15tli of April, his men were allowed to rest and enjoy themselves. The rebels, therefore, expecting to find them " merry," marched that night with the intention of attacking the Royal camp; but when they had advanced seven or eight miles it became appai'ent that they could not arrive at Nairn before dawn, and consequently they returned to Culloden Moor. At break of day on the 1 Gth, the Royal forces began their march in the direction of Inverness. The enemy, on first sight of their advance, formed in two lines with i;t:.-ir..] N i:\VC.\STI.K •LONDON ^3 n ivsorvo, \\ltil(! Prince ('liiulcs look his position upon :\\\ eniiiK'ncc Ijcliiiul f)to ri^;lit ol" liis st'coiid line. '\'\w Diiko jJiTCfivin},': tlie insurn;i'iits in order ofljiittlo, broke his eoliiiMii.^ iiito two lin,',s Hanked l>y cavalry, willi a stroiifr reserve of Jiorse and foot.''* Two field-pieces l)eing disposed in ciK'li intei'val of (lie tlrst line, the lvoyalistsrenjain(!d in this position, havinj^Cnlloden llonsu on their ri<^ht and a j)ark wall on their left, while their Coniuiander-in-ehief addressed them in a short bnt politic speccli. Alter tlu; camion of both sides had opened Cire, there was a change made in the dis[)ositi()n of the arnnes ])y bringing troops from the rear to the front, each en- deavonring to ontllank the other. The Highlanders were so galled by the Royal cannon that they grew impatient and calK;d out fc^r the attack, for which orders were im- mediately given. t llnsliing upon the right wing of the army, where l^arrell's and Monro's were stationed, the rcl)cls after firmg their pistols flung them at their adver- saries' heads, and then with their broadswords cut at tlu> two Royal regiments, who received them upon their espo- toons and l>ayonets. Tlie Dragoons coming to the relief of the iufimtry, who had already made dii'e havoc, com- pletely broke the Chevalier's left, and the total rout of the rebels ensued. A more detailed report of the battle is .< .'aiued in a letter from Wolfe to his uncle William Solheron, Esq., of Pomfrct.j * ' Homo's History of the Ivobcllioii.' t ' A Piu'ticular A( count of the "Battle of Cullodcn,' by an oiru-ov of tlie IlifvUlancl Army. London, 1719. X " The Sotherons," says Burko, '* have been most respectal)ly settled ill llicir own estates at Ho^ra, Spaldingniore, in the East Hiding, and (; a ,f! 84 LIFE OF WOLFE. .^i I IV , ! Inverness, April 17, 17 1^. Dear Sir, I have the pleasure to tell you that yesterday, about one in the afternoon, tlio Duke engaged with the rebel army, and in about an hour drove tliem from the field of battle, where they left near 1500 dead; the rest, except prisoners, cseapcd by the neiglibourhood of the hills. The action was three miles short of this place, on Lord President Forbcs's land, from whence it takes its name, tlic battle of Coloden. The rebels had posted themselves on a high boggy moor, Avhere they imagined our cannon and cavalry would be useless ; but both did essential service. Tlie cannon in particular made them very uneasy, and after firing a quarter of an hour, obliged them to change their situation and move forward some hun- dred yards to attack our front line of Foot, which they did with more fury than prudence, throwing down their firearms, and ad\ancing with their drawn swords. They were however repulsed, and ran off with the greatest precipitation, and the Dragoons falling in amongst them completed the victory with much slaughter. We have taken about twenty pieces of cannon in the field, and near it a number of colours, and I believe seven hundred prisoners, amongst which are all the Irish piquets, most of the remainder of Fitz-Jamcs's horse, and some of Drummond's regiment; great quantity of powder, ball, muskets, bayonets, broadswords, etc. Plaids innumerable. The troops behaved themselves as they ought to do, and no regiment was wanting in their duty. The enemy by their own order of battle had 8300 men in the field, and the utmost of our number was 7200, of which Ave had about twenty officers and three hundred men killed and wounded. Barrell's regi- ment suffered particularly, having out of three hundred and fifty had one hundred and twenty officers and men killed and wounded, fighting in a most obstinate manner against the Hook in the West Riding of the county of York, for more than two centuries." William Sotheron, Esq., of Pontofract, married Mrs. Wolfe's si*ter, Lucy, co-heiress of her brother Tyndul Tliompson. Tbeir son and heir, William, married Sarah, daughter of Samuel Saville, Esq., of Terry bridge, and was succeeded in the family estates by the late Ad- miral Sotheron. (' Coiumonei's,' ed. 18.38.) (- 1 MHjj) ly"" 3 715-lG.] NEWCASTLE. LONDON. 85 of rsc. no licir lost ^crs igi- iiid iru ktl- Camcrons, the best clan in the Highlands. Orders were pub- licly given in the rebel army, the day before the aetion, that no quarter should be given to our troops.'^ \Vc had an op- portunity f avenging ourselves, and I assuro you as lew pri- soners u'ere taken of the Highlanders as possible. You must observe that it blew and rained very hard almost from the time we marched from our camp at Nairn, till just the battle began, when it became fair and continued so the remainder of the day. Another thing you must take notice of, that the rebels M'ere the night before the action within three miles of our camp, intending to surprise and attack us in the dark ; but some unforeseen accident, together with a great deal of superstition, turned them l)aek. These circumstances, with many others I could name, will make every discerning man observe from whence only our success can proceed. I heartily wish you joy of the happy end of so horrid an undertaking. And may they ever be punished in the same manner who attempt the like ! I am, dear Sir, etc., J. WOLFK. Subsequently, after lie had gained more than five years' further experience, Wolfe reviewed the field of Culloden. His criticism upon the conduct of the battle will appear in its proper place ;t it is therefore unneces- sary to dwell upon the subject. An anecdote with which probably every reader is familiar cannot be passed over without remark. Mr. Robert Chambers, in his account of the proceedings after the engagement, says : " In the * A copy of the Orders issued by Lord George Murray to tbc rebel aniiy, previous to the battle, A\as fouud in the pocket of one of the prisoners. It begins thus : — " Parole. I?oy Jaques. " It is his Eoyal Ilighness'a positive ordei's that every person attach himself to some corps of the army, and remain with the corps night and (lay until the battle and ])ursuil be linally over, and to give no (juarter to the Elector's troops on imy accoinit wliatsoever." (Ray, p. 3G0.) t i^ee Letter, "Inverness, October 17l]i, 17uL" t\ .! I -i i ' 1 I! I ■• i< ,1 J. i! 'i • n *f SO IIFE Ol' WOLrE. sycopliniit publications of tlic time it is stated that after the Duke had refrcslied liiinself, he took a 'serious ualk' over the fiekl, followed by some of his attendants, who observed him to bo in deej) meditation. He laid his hand upon his breast, and with eyes lifted up to heaven, was heard to say, ' Lord, what am I, that I should be sj)ared, when so many brave men lie dead upon the spot?' — an expression of such deep humility towards God and compassion towards his fellow-creatures as is truly worthy a Christian hero.' "* Every rational man will coincide with Mr. Chambers in rejecting the fulsome, time-serving adulations of which the above is a comparatively mode- rate specimen. As a counterpoise, however, to the dis- carded story, he repeats a " better authenticated " anec- dote, illustrative not only of Cumberland's cruelty, but also of Wolfe's magnanimity. Instead of borrowing IMr. Chambers's paraphrase, I shall quote from the ' Anti- Jacobin Review ' the passage wherein it was, I believe, first printed : — " When the celebrated General AVolfe, at this period a Lieutenant-Colonel [?] in the army, was ri- ding over the lield of battle with the D — of C-m-b-1-d, they observed a Highlander, who, although severely wounded, was yet able to sit up, and, leaning on his arm, seemed to smile defiance of them. 'Wolfe,' said the D — , ' shoot me that Highland scoundrel, who thus dares to look on us with such contempt and insolence !' ' My commission,' replied the manly ofhcer, ' is at your Royal Highness's disposal, but I never can consent to become an cxectiiioncr.' The Highlander, it is probable, was soon knocked on the head by some ruflian less scru})u- lous than the future conqueror of Quebec. But it was * History (if tht.' lu'brlliou of 17 15. li ^rr I7ir)-in.] NEWCASTLE. — LONDON. 87 remarked by those who heard the story, that Colonel AVoIfe from that day visibly declined in the favour and confidence of the Commander-in-chief, We believe that some officers arc still alive who are not iinaccjuaintcd with this anecdote. "''•■ It is a pity Sir Henry Stuart Allanton, to whom is at- tributed the essay from which the above extract is taken, did not in some degree confirm the truth of the story, by naming at least one of those officers who were acquainted with it ; yet even had he done so, it would not have fol- lowed that either his own or his referee's familiarity with the anecdole should be taken as a proof of the fads which it purports to embody. It is not improbable that some incident did occur upon that day which formed a foundation for the tradition. f But traditions, as in other instances relating to Wolfe, are subject to strange twists, even in so short a space of time as fifty years. j\Iy evident desire to uphold the character of my hero, as far as truth allows, will perhaps be sutticient to show that I would not gratuitously deprive him of a magnanimous reply, in order to " whitewash" his commander's reputa- tion ; yet I cannot accept this story as it stands. It is h;udly credible that the Duke of Cund)erland, stern and relentless though he was wdien the kingdom w\as at stake, would have been beloved by the British soldiery had he been so bloodthirsty a monster as to be capable of a deed base enough for liawley, a man whom they abhorred. * Sec article iipon TTomo's Ilistoiy of the Eebollion in ' Auti- Jacobin Ueview,' vol. xiii. (1S()2), p. 125, note. t 13isliop Forbes relates \Aliat is doubtless the same story, but nuich less circumstantially, and does not mention AVolt'o's name in associa- tion witli it. Sec 'Jacobite Memoirs.' ]). 255. \' ■!.1 88 LIFE or WOLFE. ■■■'< ■'^i ■s i.'. Neither is it probable that Wolfe would have continued to respect him if the facts were as stated. But casting aside all doubts grounded upon the improbability of the story, one portion of it at least is unquestionably erro- neous ; for, as the reader will learn b} -and-by from Wolfe's own words, he did not decline from that day in the favour and confidence of the Commander-in-chief. I shall put an end to this subject by recalling an anecdote related by Sir Walter Scott (no admirer of his Royal Highness), which presents at once a parallel and a contrast to the foregoing. It is, briefly, to this effect : — Colonel White- ford having pleaded unsuccessfully for the protection of the family and property of the rebel chief, Stewart of Invernahyle, resigned his commission, upon which the Duke was so affected, that he immediately granted the request.* Never was victory more complete, and few battles have been more important in their results than that of Cul- loden. It is said of both parties that orders were issued to give no quarter. The unfortunate adventurer, who had played his last stake, fled to Aird, Lord Lovat's liouse, where he remained that night ; and then ensued those romantic wanderings so graphically described by Earl Stanhope. The Duke found quarters at Culloden House, where his rival had passed the previous night, and immediately dispatched his aide-de-camp, Lord Bury, to London with the news of the victory. f But the wcl- * Sec Inlroduction to Waverloy. t " My friend Lord Bury," Mrites Walpolo, on the 25tli, to Sir H. Mann, " arrived this morning from the Duke, thou^di the news was got here before him, for with all our ^■ic'tory it was not lliought safe to send him through the heart of Scotland; so he was shipped at Inverness !!■ 1' 171.3-10.] NEWCASTLE. — LONDON. S.) f .v cn come intelligence arrived befoie his lordship. " I was in the cofiee-housc with Smollett," says Dr. Carlyle, " when the news of the battle of Culloden arrived, and when London all over was in a perfect uproar of joy. . . . About nhie o'clock I wished to go home to Lyon's, in New Bond Street, as I had promised to sup with him. ... I asked Smollett if he was ready to go, as he lived at Mayfair; he said he was, and would conduct me. The mob Avere so riotous and the squibs so incessant that we were glad to go into a narrow entry to put our wigs into our pockets, and to take our swords from our belts and walk with them in our hands, as everybody then wore swords; and after cautioning me against speaking a word, lest the mob should discover my country and become insolent, ' for John Bull,' says he, ' is as haughty and valiant to-night as he was abject and cow- ardly on Black Wednesday, when the Highlanders were at Derby.' "''' x\fter the battle the infantry were encamped near Li- verness, and the cavalry quartered in the town and adja- cent villages, which were found to be but ill provided, the rebel army having been there so long. Before the end of l\iay the Duke, with Barrell's, Wolfe's, and some other regiments, marched from Liverness to Fort Au- gustus, where the barracks having been destroyed by the insurgents, his Royal Highness lay in a tent until " a neat vithiu an liour after the Duke entered the town, kept beating about at sea five daj's, and then put on shove at JN^orth Berwick, from whence he came post in less than three days to Loudon, but Avitli a fever upon him. The King has immediately oi'dered him i'lOiH.), and I hear will make him his own aide-de-camp." (Letters, vol. ii. p. 18.) * Autobiography, p. IDO. ■M . '1 . < '. ^ 1(1, • . 'i '> ' t, -'■;. * U i1 1 ■ I Hv ,f 90 LIFE OF WOLFE. 4 I bower " was built for his accommodation near the ruins. Parties of troops were sent out tiu'ough the Highlands, who burned houses and carried off the cattle. Ac- cordhig to a Scotch periodical of the time, the Duke began with the disaffected "in a gentle and paternal way," promising pardon ami protection to those who brought in their arms and submitted. Such as complied were dismissed with protections ; but the majority, after having promised to surrender within a certain time, either failed to do so or concealed their arms and brought in onlv old swords and useless o;uns. The Duke was there- fore obliged " to lay the rod more heavy upon them," by carrying fire and sword through the surrounding country and driving off the cattle.''' The deluded people were reduced to the most de})lorable condition, and many of the soldiers grew rich u})on their spoil. In order to di- versify the scene, and keep up the spirits of his men amidst their fatigues and hardships, the Duke patronized races and other amusements. In a letter from " Fort Augustus, June 17th," we read: — "Last Wednesday the Duke gave two prizes to the soldiers to run heats for, on bare-backed galloways taken from the rebels... . . These galloways are little larger than a good tup, and there was excellent sport. Yesterday Il.R.H. gave a fine holland smock to the soldiers' wives to be run for on these galloways, also bare-backed, and riding with their limbs on each side of the horse, like men, Eight started, and there were three of the finest heats ever seen. The prize was won, with great difficulty, by oric c^ the Old Buffs' ladies. In the evening, General Hawley and Co- * • Scots ]\raf^aziiic,' 1810. p. 287. !i ; 171.')-1().] NEWCASTLE. LONDOy. 01 mcl a on leir |cd, lie )lcl yO- lonel Howard ran a match for twcntv gnincas on two of the above shaltics, which General Ilawlcy won by abont four inches."* Most of tlie soldiers had horses, wJiich tliey bought and sold amongst themselves at low prices. One of these cavaliers being met by a comrade who asked him, "Tom, what has thou given for the galloway?" answered, " ITalf-a-crown." On which the other replied, with an oath, " He is too dear ; I snw abetter bought for eighteen-pencc." As the men rode about the country and neglected their duty, an order was at length published that they should dispose of their steeds, or the animals would be shot. A fair or market was held, which was attended by jockeys and farmers from Yorkshire and the Low- lands, who purchased the horses, oxen, sheep, goats, etc., taken from the rebels ; and notwithstanding the low prices, a large sum of money was obtained and divided amongst the army.f On the ISth July, the Duke, whose presence afforded pleasure to every soldier, left the army in Scotland, of which the Earl of Albemarle was appointed Commander- in-chief. In London, his Royal Highness was hailed as the deliverer of his country, and rewarded for hi^^ ser- vices with a pension of ^ ,25,000 a year. The victory of Cullodcn was also celebrated by the performance of the great historical, as well as the greatest of sacred, composer's new Oratorio of ' Judas Maccaba3us.' Soon after the Duke's departure the forces in Scotland were dispersed. AVolfe's, Pulteney's, and other regiments were ordered to Flanders ; while Rarrell's and Conway's were (piartered in Stirling and various outposts. It is * ' Scots Magaziiio,' 1840, p. 2sS. f li^iy. P- '^'>-- < ^ 'i ( ■ I ( ■1 if 92 LIFE 01 WOLT'E. )fj PV stated in local guide-books, that Wolfe, about this time, commanded the small fort of luversnaid, situated between the Lochs Lomond and Katrine, l^ut the fort, having been taken by Rob Roy's nephew, Ghlune-Dhu, ])re- vious to or during the Rebellion, was now in ruins ; and the tradition must have arisen from the fact that our hero was in connnand there at a later period. Yet, even at this time, it is not improbable that an outpost from Stirling was established in the locality ; and Wolfe may have superintended the reconstruction of the little keep at Liversnaid.* Although nothing can be positively asserted of his doings for a few months, it is certain that he was actively engaged during the remainder of his stay in the High- lands, and that he now acquired an intimate know- ledge of the condition of the people, as well as of the physical features of the country. Wolfe quitted Scotland before winter set in, and passed the short time until his return to the Continent, early in the following spring, in London. So here may be closed the chapter whicli relates all the information that has come down to us concerning the humble but efficient part played by our young hero — '• In a rebellion, "Wlien what's not meet, but what must be, was law." * Sec Introduction to ' Eob Eoy ' for an account of this Highland fort. Sir Walter Scott adds : — " AVhcn wc find the celebrated (jreneral Wolfe commanding in it, tlic imagination is strongly affected by the variety of time and events which the circ^ .stance brings simxdtaue- ously to recollection." Towards the north-eastern end of Loch Lomond a little stream, called the Snnid, falls into it. The Snaid runs from Loch Arklet through a wild gorg:, and gives the name of Inversnaid, the moutli or outlet of the Snaid, to the district. The little fort built in 1713 to keep the Macgregors in awe, stood in the heart of this gorge. ilB 03 CHAPTER V. CONTINENTAL CAMrAIGNS.— LONDON. 1747-1748. The winter season of 1740 was inaiigiirated iii Loiulon on the 9tli of October by a public thanksgiving for the total reduction of the rebels, which we are told was observed by i great resort to the places of worship, and extraordinary illuminations at night. The seven alarm guns that had been placed in St. James's Park were now removed; and patriotic parish clerks no longer thought it necessary to excite a sanguinary spirit in their congregations by singing, " to the praise and glory of God," the most vindictive verses of the SUth, 83rd, and 137th Psalms.* Although human heads were exposed to view on Temple Bar, where people made a trade of letting spy- ing-glasses at a halfpenny a look,t and notwithstanding the Special Commission still sitting at St. Margaret's Hill, Soutliwark, and the hanging, drawing, and quarter- ing of condemned traitors upon Kennington Common, the town was as gay and heartless as if there never had been a Black Derby Day. * ' Gentleman's Magazine,' 184G, p. 422 et seq. t Walpolc's Letters, Cunningham's ed., vol. ii. p. 50. v< 'i; Ji' 1, 04 I.IFK or WOM'l'. 4 4 -■. ,1 f'iS Only those who liiivo hiul orcnsioii (o explore old niap;n/iiu's and ncw.sjjupers know liow coinpiu'alively small a sj)ace is filled by the matter, from whieh is formed the s(j-call'.'d history of any period. The rare, or, so to speak, episodieal events end)almed for the edi- lieation of future generations, are, in fact, mere by-})lays it) the grand drama of jnnnan life; and, oblivious of them, the world goes on after the old fashion, mariying and giving in marriage, every individual feeling much more interested in his own e})hemcral affairs than in those remarkable occurrences, the memory of which only survives.* We need not wonder, then, to find contem- poraneous accounts of the Rel)ellion, and iis sequel, interspersed with articles " On marrying ii brother's widow," " On the efiicacy of tar-water," " On a method for exercise within- doors," and even upon less mo- mentous subjects than these. A plate in the ' Gentle- man's Magazine ' affords us a curiops illustration.! On the same page arc represented a maciiine for cutting away mole and ant hills ; bullets found upon the field of Edgchill ; a section of a maclnnc for rubbing, cleaning, and winnowing corn all at once : a candlestick, with apparatus to preserve the eye from the light, and obtain a stronger light from a small candle than a large ; an hour-glass, found in a coffin in Clerkenwell churchyard ; * For instauco, D'Isracli says : — " In the journal of a Yorksliiro sqixire, who lived in the immediate noi;;lil)ourliood of Marston jMoor, it appears that he went out hnntinfj on the very day of that memorable engagement ; but our sportsman, in the details of his chase, has not evcTi made an allusion to the battle, though the roar of the cannon must have echoed to his 'Tally-ho!'" (Commentaries, etc., vol. v. p. 49.) t Plate viii., December, 1816, p. 10. 1717-IS.] CONTINENTAL CAMTAKiNS. — LONDCV. IVt and tlic portrait of l^ord Lovat, "curiously engravetl. In like manner Justice, engaged though she was in State trials, had leisure to look after )ail)ers, one and fifty of whom were nuilcted in the sum of £:J() each, " for having in their custody hair-powder not made from starch, con- trary to Act of Parliament."* The King's hii'thday was celehrated with more than the ordinary display of loy- alty ; and, at the hall in St. James's Palace, lI.R.if. the Duke danced minuets with the Princess of Wales. A few days afterwards the Duke set out for the Hague, in order to confer with the States-General, and to arrange with the Austrian and Dutch commanders the opera- tions for the ensuing campaign. During his Royal Ilighness's stay there he was nuicli caressed, and there was a great assemblage of peo})lc of distinction who made court to him. Their High jMightinesses, animated by his presence, and the resolutions of the British Par- liament, determined upon fitting out a fleet, and to have an army of 40,000 men early in the field. Having finished his business, the Duke returned to England. The most remarkable of the state prisoners whose doom was as yet luipronounccd still lingered in the Tower when the eventful year drew to lu. end. At Court the new year was opened with the routine fes- tivities ; but the 7th of January, being a solemn fast, was rclii»;iouslv observed thron2;hout London and Wcstmin- ster ; consequently, the ceremonies of Twelfth Night were not observed at St. James's until the 9th, when his Ma- jesty and the Royal Family, with several of the nobility, played at " hazard " for the benefit of the groom-porter. * • Goutlcman's ^Vragazine,' ISIO, p. GU. 'I 't '• •. . ' Ir Of) 1,1 IF, ol' WOM'K. i ■ '( t< 'I 1' 1 /I ! ■■f The (icnci-al Jiiid Mrs. Wolfu were rcsidiiifr jit I heir town house in Old Miirliiigtoii Street wlicii tlieir son visited tlieni, n[)piirently for the first time since his entrance into the army, npon liis return froni Scot- hnul, late in the year 17 1(». I lis stay in London was of short dui'ation, l)arely snllicient to lay in his outfit, and make other necessary preparations for his Conlin(Mital campaign. Mrs. A\\)lfe busied herself about the minor matters, and paid many a little bill for her son out of her own private purse. The General also was wont to come forward on such occasions with a round sum ; and if he did not do so now, ho had a very good excuse, for there were three years' arrears of pay, upwards of £1000, due to him for his services as Inspector of ^Tarines. Some months })reviously he had memoiialized the Lords Connnissioners of the Admiralty, under whose direction he lield his office, whereupon their lordships referred him to Afr. Pelham, First Lord of the Treasury ; Mr. Pelhani referred him to the Secretary at AV^ar, when that ]\Iinister referred him back again to Mr, Pelham. But the only effect of all this " circmnlocution " was to make the memorialist fear that he was looked upon as a dun, for the Pay Office would not give him one shilling of the money due to him, neither would the King allow him to resign his appointment; so the Major-General, in consequence of his Lispectorship of IMarines, " was in a worse position than any man who had the honour of having a regiment in hjs Majesty's service."* ti f. ;, .A '' If ■- 'i! i L. * Boclforcl Correspondence, vol. i. \ 123 ; and an unpuLlislied letter tVom Major-Gencral Wolfe to his Cirace the Duke of Bedford. dated, " Burlinirton Street, Febniavy y" lOth, 17 10- 7." ofCui 1717-1^.] rONTINMNTAT, f'AMPAHiVS. — LONDON. 07 iakc lull, of llow IJrigade-Mnjor W'olfi; accoiiipiniicd tlic Hritisli ivin- forcointMit, which sailed for tho Nctlicrland.s early in January, 1717. '.u I'Vhruary the confederates began to nssonihlo in tin iieij^hlxun-Jiood of Maestricht, where great preparations wen; made for opening the campaign. ^^'lliie the English troops had heen withdrawn during the progress of the lU'hellion, the French iiad become masters of nearly the whole of the Austrian Nether- lands. Prince Charles of Lorraine had been worsted at Roucoux, and as tlie congress which had met at Breda could not agree ni)on terms of peace, it was re- solved on all sides to [)iirsnc the war with vigour. Maria Theresa hoped, by the co-operation of l^ngland and IfoUand, to recover Flanders ; King George vowed ven- geance against the King of France for supporting the IVetender; an/, the States-General had become sensible of their danger, and cf the necessity of a closer alliance with England md Austria. The confederate armies, numbering about 1.20,000 men, took the field early in March. The Duke of Cumberland had been appointed generalissimo; the Austrians were commanded by Mar- shal Bathiani, anci the Dutch by the Prince of Waldeck. Cwing, however, to the negligence of the Austrian and Dutch commissaries they lay inactive for six weeks, al- most destitute of provisions and forage, and exposed to the inclemency of the weather; while the French army of 150,000 men, under the connnand of Saxe, who ap- ])i'cciated the value of his soldiers' health, was well sup- phed anr^. carefidly sheltered.* Unfortunately also for * " Couut Saxe having been pleased to say that lie thoixglit the Dulco of Cambcrhnd the greatest General of the age, for that he had maiu- H if'uJ 98 LIFE OF WOLVE. 1 .1 11^^ ?' ' ->■ the allies, the Prince of Ornngc, who had been declared Stadtholder of the United Provinces, arrived to take the command of liis troops, and his inexperience of war, to- gether with his jealousy of his brother-in-law, produced a want of harmony that augured unfavourably for their success. At length Louis XV. arrived at Brussels, when it war; resolved to besiege Maestricht.* Saxc innnediately ad- vanced towards the Maese, and Cumberland, perceiving his design, in order to })lace himself between the enemy and the thrcatenc'^ town, endeavoured by forced marches to get possession of the heights of ITerdeeren. Put the enemy had occupied this advantageous post before his arrival, on the 1st of July. The allies remained under arms during the night, and anxiously awaited the ap- proach of day. Early on the 2nd the French infantry, moving down into the plain in one vast column of ten battalions in front and as many deep, directed their whole force towards the village of Val, or Laffeldt, three miles west of Maestricht, occu])ied by the British Poot. As the Prench approached, they were assailed by a deadly fire of nuisketry that soon broke their front; but, gaining ground, they brought their batteries to bear upon the village, and attacked with their first brigades, which were repulsed. Three times the attack was inef- taincd 100.000 men on a spot of ground where //c sliould not have thought of feeding so many rabbits, tlie l)uke, lioaring it, replied (hat his men were well enough fed to fi^lit the Freueh on ai\y ground." ('Gentleman's Magazine,' 17t8, p. 250.) * ^Taestricht, or i/ie ^Jrts.svfc/e of the Maese, a city on the b'^rders of the Duchy of Lind)urg, about four miles in cireunil'ereneo, whoso fortilications, in the then *' modern way," were reckoned amongst the strongest in Europe. i I r Ji^. 1717-lS.] CONTINENTAL CAMTAIONS. — LONDON. 99 fectnally renewed by division nftcr division, untd frcsli forces advancing, tlie English infantry in Val, overpow- ered in nnnibers and exhausted witli fatigue, were at length forced to give way. They quickly rallied how- ever, regained the villiige, and drove back the enemy with great slaughter; but the battalions ordered to sus- tain them not all arriving in time, and the Trench still crowding npon them, they were obliged to evacuate Val and form upon the plain. The action now became general, and by mid-day victory appeared to declare for the allies, when the Dutch in the centre fell into disorder, and in their flight overthrew some Austrian battalions, who were slowly advancing to reinforce the line. At this crisis the Duke of Cumberland, as he was animating his troops to renew the fight, was almost sur- rounded by the enemy, when Sir John Ligonier, fearing his capture, advanced rapidly to his relief at the head of the British cavalry, and charged so furiously that he bore down all before him, until, proceeding too far, his horse Vv'as killed, and Sir John taken prisoner by a French carbineer. ^^ The Duke, who now perceived that further efforts to repulse the enemy were impracticable, was enabled by Ligonier's chivalrous charge to collect iiis scattered forces, and retire to Alaestricht without molestation. Thus, although the French won the battle, * General Ligonier presented liia purse and ring to his captor, "»vho refused tlieni, saying, be ■would only have his sword. Sir .rohn w as afterwards presented to the French king, and ti'cated with great con- sidei'ation. On his Majesty's incpiiring ^vhcther he had been respect- fully treated, lie represented the heroic generosity of the carbineer, ^^hom the king rewarded immediately, and ])roniiscd to make him im ofllccr. (' Gentleman's Magazine.') 11 2 s \ '^w* 100 LIFE OF WOLFE. a- k: . I I ■ f the allies succeeded in reinforcing the city, which they continued masters of during the campaign. The confe- derates are said to have lost, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, from 5000 to 7000, and the enemy not less than 10,000 men,* It is generally admitted that if the English had been properly supported by the Austrians and Dutch, thei»' victory would have been decisive. The valour and endurance of both infantry and cavalry was never more conspicuous ; they bore the brunt of the battle, so as to justify the remark of Louis XV., " The English not only paid all, but fought all !" f Of Brigade-iNIajor Wolfe's conduct on this occasion we have few particulars. From the Gazette we learn that he was wounded ; and it is stated that he was pub- licly thanked by the Commander-in-chief for his dis- tinguished services. No account of the conflict from his own pen has come down to us, but by anticipathig a paragraph from a letter which he wrote four years after- wards, we obtain a faint glimpse of him at LafFeldt, as well as of his ordinary camp life. Giving a character of his faithful servant. Old Roland, Wolfe says : " He came to me at the hazard of his life in the last action with offers of his service, took off my cloak, and brought a fresh horse, and would have continued close by me had I not ordered him to retire. I believe he was slightly * " The French bought their victory dear. Their least loss is 12,000 men, ours at least 5000. His lloyal Highness's valour shone extremely, but at the expense of his judgment." (Walpole to Montagu, July 2nd, 1747.) t " The Dutch are deficient in vigour, and the Austrians in men. They each of them ainuse and trifle with Great Britain, while she, good-natured lady, lavishes her blood and ti'easure to defend their ter- ritories." (' AVostminster Journal,' July 11, 1747.) 4, ..y 1717-'48.] CONTINENTAL CAMPAIGNS. — LONDON. 101 wouiuled just at that time, and the horse lie held was shot likewise. . . . Many a time has he pitched my tent, and made the bed ready to receive me, half-dead with fatigue ; and this 1 owe to his diligence." After reinforcing the garrison of Maestricht, Cum- berland crossed the river, and extended his army to- wards Vist, a small fortified town seven miles north of Liege. Saxe remained in the iieiglibourhood of the city he so ardently coveted, aiiH where, he said, the peace lay, until, thinking its re 'hi -non hopeless for the present, towards the end of August he burned his magazines and marched off. Count Lowendahl had, in the meantime, invested the hitherto impregnable fortress of Bergen-op-Zoom, which, after two months' siege, he reduced and possessed him- self of. On account of this great achievement Louis XV. rewarded him with the rank of a Mareclial of France. Having appointed Saxe governor of the vanquished Netherlands, the king returned in triumph to Paris, leavino; the reduction of Maestricht for the next cam- paigu ; and before the end of October all parties had retired to their winter (quarters. On tlie 13th of November the Duke arrived from Holland at St. James's ; General Ligonier, having been liberated, also reached London on the same dav : and on the IGth twenty transports landed five regiments of infantry at Gravesend. Wolfe returned home probably about the same time, for it is certain that he spent three or four winter months of 1747-8 in London. Yet it is only from future correspondence that we get an inkling of one or V ', 'I ^ 1 '3 1.^' ! i t li 1 11 !. ,1 Iv 102 LIFL OF WOLFE. -il ( I two incidents of his life at this period. Amongst his brother-officers in London at the same time was one whose name lias already a[)pearcd in the list of wounded in jMajor- General AVolfe's regiment at Fontenoy, Lieu- tenant William Rickson. The corps had returned to the Continent soon after the battle of Culloden, and fought under Prince Charles of Lorraine — then Connuander-in- chief — in the engagement on the 12tli of October, 174G, at lloucoux, where Riekson was again wounded. He and the young Brigade-Major were on the most confi- dential terms, and it is in a letter to this friend that we find the earliest mention of Wolfe's first love. But as it appears that he met the lady only occasionally during this winter, and had not as yet been deeply smitten, it is unnecessary to enter into the tender affair until there will be occasion to do so when we come to speak of ills next visit to London. The 22nd of December, 1747', (o. s.), or, as it would now be called, the 2nd of January, I 174S, was, as may be imagined, a high festival in Old Burlington Street. It nuist have gratified Mrs. AV^olfe and the General to have their brave son with them when he became of age. They had good cause to be proud of him, for few have ever distinguished themselves more remarkably bjfoi'e entering manhood. Both France and England now considered that they had suffered enough from the war that had been raging for the last six years ; and the captivity of Sir John Ligonier gave Louis XV. an o[)portunity of discussing the subject of peace with the English General, whom he treated with the greatest consideration. " Would it not be better," said the French king, " to think seriously S.' \^:A 17t7-lS.] CONTINENTAL CAMPAIGNS. — LONDON. 103 of pence, than to occasion the death of so many brave men?" ]*lenipotcntiaries were tliereforc ap[)()inted by the several Powers, and assembled in congress at Aix- la-Chapelle, the beginning of 1748. Nevertheless all parties j)repared for another campaign, and ^Marechal h^axe strnck the first blow l)v investino; Maestricht. Wolfe sailed from Harwich for Holland in ^larch, and joined a detachment of English troops, stationed with the Anstrian army, which was encamped in the neigh- bonrhood of Breda. Some particnlars of this period, personal as well as historical, are related in the following letter to his father : — Oatorhout, April 12, n. s., 1748. Dear Sir, General Fowkcs is left here with four regiments of Foot, and eight pieces of cannon, to assist in defending tliis part of Holland. The troops arc cantoned in the village, two leagues from Breda and one from Gcrtruidciibcrg, and wait the orders of him who is appointed to lead the army here ; 'tis at present the Prince of AVolfcnbutteb but we are appre- licnsive of losing him. As a ]\Iajor of Brigade^ and the first of tliat rank, I am herCj though I took some pains to avoid it. The corps that I hear is intended to assemble in this quarter will be of thirty-five or forty battalions and some squadrons, unless the enemy's present undertaking should require them upon the xilaese. I hear jSIaestricht is invested. Marshal Lowendahl passed the jNIaese with some troops at Namur, Mas joined by those that wintered in Louvain, marched through a country that is almost imj)assal)le in the finest seasons, seized Lim- bourg, and is, we arc told, on the other side the river, where our army lay the greatest part of last campaign ; while jM. de Saxe moves with the larger part of the French army, and invests ]Macstrieht on this side. If so, the bodv of Aus- triaus there will be inferior to either of these corps, and will '• ' . . ', , • .1 ^v^/i'f IV 104 LIFE OF WOT.FE. ... \ I V'.: r I >l ■ I : r I M:' : certainly retire, or rather has retired, aiul leave the unhappy fortress to its garrison and a Dutch commander. I am much at a loss to know whether that place is thought of such worth as to risk a battle with disadv:aitagc, especially iu numbers ; though the situation is such that a fortunate stroke might be the total ruin of the besieging army, from the extreme breadth of the ]\Iaese, and difficulty of retiring with a beaten army over a bridge or two. But if in two or three days these regi- ments should move, 1 shall think the attempt a tiling deter- mined, and be out of doubt as to our destination. The Prince of Orange is expected here soon. Marshal Batliiany is laid up with the gout (and in an evil hour) at Bois-le-D ic.^ H.R.II. has been ill again at Venlo,t but is something better, and perhaps gone to Borcmonde; the greatest part of the army is iu full march to that place. Neither the E :glisli regiments from the north, nor that cx- j)cctcd from the river, arc yet arrived, though never so much wanted as nt this unlucky time. I am preparing to tell you the purport of a conversation with Colonel Yorke, the then Adjutant-General, to whom 1 addressed myself on being ordered to remain here. He said some civil things iu relation to having a person witli these people that was acquainted with this country, and the customs of the army ; and proceeded to tell me that the Duke, in dis- course with him, had expressed great concern at not having it in his ])ower to serve me, but that his intention was just, and he would take an opportunity soon of making it appear. And Yorke, as a secret, told me II.K.H. intended that Field should succeed Cossley, and that he would give me the Major's commission of Bragg's regiment for nothing, and (as lie was pleased to say) in order to my being Lieutenant-Colonel to it, for Jocelyn is dying. Cossley, you know, is to go out with a government, and the sale of his company only. If this be * Bois-le-Duc, situated at the conlluence of the rivers Aa and Dom- inel, tweuty miles cast of Breda, and forty-three miles north-east of Antwerp. f Veulo, a strong town of Gueldcrlanci, situated upon the Maese. 1: ■« T^ 1717-18.] CONTINENTAL CAMPAIGNS. — LONDON. 105 true, you will make the projicr reflections on it, and think mc not much hurt. I'm sure the thing is yet far ofl^, possibly may fail as heretofore ; but with sincerity I assure you, I am out of the reach of disappointment. 1 heartily wish you both well. I writ to my uncle Wat from Harwich, and foretold the siege of IVIaestrieht. He will be astonished at their carlv proceeding, and equally displeased with us. !My duty to my mother. I am, dear Sir, Your most obedient and affectionate Son, J. Woi.FE. It is evident, from Wolfe's situation at this period, that he had not lost the confidence of the Coniniander- in-chief on acconnt of tlie inipntcd rebuff upon the field of Cullodcn. If he had, the Dnkc would not have sta- tioned him with the foreign troops, as an officer of proved experience and sagacity, nor have authorized Co- lonel Yorke to go even so far as to say " civil thing?," and express his Royal Highncss's interest in the Brigade- Major's advancement. Although Wolfe's promotion did not immediately follow, the delay may with great proba- bility be partly attributed to his extreme usefulness in his present capacity. He appears to have done all kinds of work, and, in addition to the strict business of his of- fice, to have had control over the commissariat ; as, from documents still extant, it is shown that he corresponded with bread contractors, and issued orders for forage, etc.* A letter without date, but which must have been written soon after the last, supplies the following ex- tract : — " The Duke of Newcastle and Lord Sandwich * A letter from "NVolfe to M. de Praclo, coutraclor for bread, dated " July 10, 1748," was lately in the posscssiou of llobcrt Cole, Esq. • ( I . ! t I ', '1 i ?1 i = i'-i' ! I .■'I ■; i lOG LIFE OF WOLFK. ■i !■ ;. !. I • If i !■' • ? '■ ( if f Iff arc expected at tlic ariny in a few days ; they will sec the sight, and go o(F. . . . The Iin})erialists march to- morrow towai'ds Koremonde. The iieighbonrliood of Bois-le-l)iic cannot furnish to an army without money. These troops must receive great assistance from tiio country abont them. The conferences at Aix are rather hniguid ; the warhivc spirit conceives favonrably, from the interest or intrigue perha[)s of some mischievous parti- cuhu", who may retard the general good, and keep the world in arms. Sincerely I believe yon'U think I'm crazy in the brain. In one letter I tell you all is at an end, and in the next that things have a fairer face. I'm sorry to say that my writings are greatly influenced by the state of my body or mind at the time of writing ; and I'm either haj)py or ruined by my last night's rest, or from sunshine, or light and sickly air : such infirmity is tjie mortal frame subject to.* I thank you for the part you are so ready to act in my behalf. Your officers are all well, and free from complaint, as from any cause." While the congress was deliberating at Aix^ Saxc and Lowendahl coutinued the siege of Maestricht. By the 17th of April they had brought their approaches to the covered way, which they attacked and carried that night with the loss of nine hundred grenadiers ; when the go- vernor of the city, Baron D'Aylva, made a sally, and drove them back with nuich slaughter. Thus they con- tinued to keep each other at bay, and the result was doubtful, when it was notified that the preliminaries of * "The greatest hero is nothing under a certain state of tlic nerves. . . . His mind is like a fine ring of bolls jangled out of tune." (Lord Bolingbrokc. Spcuce's Anocdotea, p. 70.) \u 1717-P^] CONTINENTAL CAMPAIGNS. LONDON. 107 peace Imd been signed, with orders for the cessation of liostiiities. Pursuant to the articKs, the Dnka of Cuui- berhind, who was })reparing for the reUvf of the besieged, sent an officer to the r"^vernor orderini-: liiiu to deliver up the fortress to the French. The garrison, therefore, marched out with ail the honours of war, and Marechal Saxc entered Maestricht on the 3rd of May, to keep })os- session until the ratilication of the treaty between the belli2;erent Powers. Although the war may be said to have now ended, the armies remained encamped until the approach of winter. Wolfe ditl not like a comparatively idle life, and as he agreed with the King of Prussia in thiidving that having seen some service, and been in several engage- ments, did not suffice to constitute a real oflicer,* he soon began to agitate a matter, to which he was en- couraged, if not pi'om[)ted, by his uncle ^lajor Walter Wolfe. Having left school so early, and been ever since associated only amongst soldiers, with little o})})ortunity for study, he felt the deficiency of his education, and therefore was anxious to obtain leave of absence for some time, in order to travel and improve himself in the science of his profession, as well as, by intercourse with the politer world, to acquire those accomplishments which he considered indispensable to a gentleman. These remarks will explain the opening of the following heterogeneous epistle to his mother : — * " Frederick the Great, on being told, by way of remonstrance, by one of Lis GeueralSj that he had seen many campaii^ns, replied, 'So has the jackass that carries my pack!"' (James's Military Dic- tionary, pref. xiii.) 'I •. ^ I , 108 LIFE OF WOLFE. 1; !' (I it ( W: ii ' I \ ' 4 1' ' h Dear Madam, WluMi yon liavo anything to grant, or a good -n at n red tiling to say, you don't lose time. I got your letter much sooner than I expected, but upon opening it easily perceived the reason. There will be difTicultics in everything that contradicts a principle or settled opinion, entertained amongst us, that an officer [neither] can, nor ought ever to he otherwise cm})l()yed than his i)articidar military functions. If they could beat men's capacities down, or confine their genius to that rule (to be observed with the cxpucted nicety so as to exclude all other attachments), no man would ever be fitted for a higher em- ployment than he is in. 'Tis unaccountable that who wishes to see a good army can oppose men's enlarging their notions, or acquiring that knowledge with a little absence which they can't possibly meet with at home, especially when they arc supposed masters of their present employment and really ac- quainted with it. In all other stations in life, that method is usually pursued which best conduces to the knowledge 'jvery one naturally wishes to have of his own profession. AVhether my request will be consented to or not I sha'n't pretend to say ; it depends on them whether even I shall ask it. Pray tell my father that 1 thank him much for his appro- bation, but I can't help differing both from him and you in your objection, that T must lay aside all thoughts of prefer- ment; because, if we may judge of what has happened, atten- dance, or the frequent ofi'er of one's person to their observation, has had hitherto little effect, and 1 know myself secure of your voices and endeavours whether absent or not ; and more ])ar- ticularly that, if I rise at all, it will most probably be by the means of my father's pocket. But, not to be tiresome upon this subject, I'm told that my intended journey will really be put off. I spoke to my uncle Wat in my last letter to him to this purpose. Perhaps he may mention it to you with his sense of such undertaking. The sum in question puts me into the very state you wish me, and I as truly wish myself, I mean that of independency ; 17i7-4S.] CONTINENTAL CAMl'AIONS. — LONDON. 100 and thoiifi^li T daro not pray for mojicy, €10,000 is wortli askinj^ I'or iiiir purposes, and mif^lit l)c prettily disposed of. None but earthly gods and goddesses . . . for or with the preeious hano,^ Though I don't thiidi the troops will any of them embark till tljc end of October, I would not have yon lose time in fixing upon what you would have brought over; and if you know of anything that would be agreeable to my father, pray mention it. I know nothing that can justly excuse my putting vou to an extraordinary expense. AIv inclination to much talk can never be a good reason. A man should shorten his discourse, or learn to write close. Everything that seems to prevent any scheme of economy T am a bitter enemy to. Tn the notions I entertain at present, spare diet and small beer have a strong place. Nothing but an unlucky knowledge of the immediate necessity of living well and drinking claret could, sure, persuade mc to such a practice in opposition to good, close, parsimonious maxims. But what is there one may not be forced to do, where the health is concerned, however averse to inclination? To repel the vapours (as my friend justly terms them' , Jemmy Donnellan and I are obliged to have recourse to a couple or three good things every day, and some Bordeaux : the management of all which he has solely midertaken, and calls for my weekly partition. If iNIr. Foxf knew how well we feed, and that sometimes the table for four is crowded, he would be jealous of our cmc- luments and censure our extravagance, refuse perhaps our arrears, and cut off the non-effectives. My duty to my father. I always wish you both well, and am. Dear ^fadam, Your most obedient and affectionate Son, J. Wolfe. Although the definitive treaty was signed in Oetober, the English troops did not decamp imtil December; * Two or three words are illegible. The allusion is doubtless to some miitrimonial speeidation of bis mother's i'or bis behoof, t The Iligbt Hon. Henry Fox, Paymaster-CJeneral. '. " \^ i:!' ;j IK) 1,1 IK or WOLFE. i' .: t ' ^ J' niul \\'()lf(\ disappointed of leave of absence, impatiently nwaited a ( biiiige. Tlu* last of his Continental kllers runs tluis:— Cnnip, Nosai'lroy, lOtli Xovombfr, 17 IS. Dear ^riuliim, Voii liiivc given mc the greatest pleasiu'c iiuaginabU* in vour aocount of mv father's situation. He not oiilv eau walk Mcll, l)ut I hope does, or at least takes such exercise as (its his iueliiiiitioii and contiihutcs to his health. I would recouunend the like to you, if I did not know how sensible you are of the necessity of it, and how ready to give a good exani[)le. 1 have been prodigiously careful of my own thin person, and I think have used all the reuiedies, . . . unguents, etc., that were not oidy useful, but even thought so, in eoniphusnnec^ to your opinion ; and I am thoroughly reinstated. Vour green oil in particular was of singular service to nu\ for a hurt I received by the falling of my horse (not from my horse), and that's well likewise. Captain Thornton is the only one of our countrymen that thinks om . .itiy worth looking at; he was present at r, review of six WoU'eiibUttel battalions, and expressed both satisfaction and astonishment. He is gone away very well pleased with liis reception and entertainment. It is really sur;)risiiig that in the multitude of the idle and curious, it does not enter into any of their heads to be for once spectators at a military show, and amuse themselves some little time with a view of the variet}' of troops that compose the three separate bodies in this country. The lOuglish should accustom themselves to such sights, that they may be less at a loss, and act like men when anything new or extravagant presents itself, and that a plaid, whiskers, or a rufT cap may not be esteemed by them altogether terrible and invincil)le. I received a letter yesterday from my father, and one from llickson. Tlic little man seems to entertain but a very indif- ferent opinion of widows, and threatens to be much better ac- quainted before he engages a second time; he even carries it so far as to suspect some of them of coquetry and deceit, I 'I 1747^ ivj t'ONTINKNTAL CAMPAIGNS. — LONDON. Ill and with grcut riirncstncss advises liis friends to avoid that spccios. My father's good (U'sigiis are seen by me in the very lij;ht ho means thenj ; hut 'tis too late. Other views ami interests sneceed at the end of a war, and favonrs arc tin-own into (|nitc a dillrrent ehannol. For my partieuhir, I wisli nothiii;^ so nmeh ;is th(! means of csei'ijin^ from noise and hUeness. I never till now \ i?'. STIRLING.— GLASGOW. FeiJIIUARY — OCTOIJER, 1719. Sir AValter Scott, writing in I SI 5, said that the peo- ple of Scotland were as different from their grandfathers as the people of England from those of the reign of Eliza- beth.* Certainly no other country — in the Old World, at least — exhibits within a like space of time so marked a contrast in its condition as Scotland in 1750 and Scotland to-day. This unparalleled progress may be attributed to several causes ; we need name but one — the saga- cious, energetic, and " self-contained" character of the people, who, as soon as ever the barriers to their advance were removed, began to overtake their competitors in the march of civilization. Few of the London tourists who " do" the Highlands in two or three weeks reflect that it would have occupied about as many days to reach the fcrra incorjnila of one hundred years ago, as it does hours to enter the same well-mapped districts in the present time, and that the adventure would have been nuich more hazardous and laborious than an ex- cursion to the backwoods of Canada is now. The world- * Wavcrley, chap. 72. 1710.] STIRLING. — ni.ASOOW. 11 M- \vi(]c renders of ' Waverley,' etc., arc generally so en- cliaiiied by the genius of tlie great AVizard of the North, that instead of beijig instructed by the truths contained in his descriptions, they retain only the romance, and lose sight of the ugly facts Avhich it envelopes. Rob Roy is remend)ered as a dashing, generous freebooter, but not as a vulgar thief; Maelvor, as a martyr to misplaced loyalty, but not as an oi)[)ressivc fevulal lord ; juul the Highland tribes, as hardy mountaineers, ever faithful to their chiefs, but not as idle, half-Ltarved, superstitious serfs. • Until about the year of Wolfe's birth the Highlands may be said to have been abnost undiscovered, and even of the more accessible parts of Scotland the greatest ig- lio. <■ . ■I M ! : 116 1,1 FE OF WOLFE. the new race of kings."*' The prominent part i)laycd by the Highland clans in the Rebellion of 1715 had indeed alarmed the Goverinnent, and instigated an ollieial snrvey of those mountain regions of wliich nothing; was known exce])t that their dreary recesses swarmed with wild warriors, who regai'ded with disdain the avocations of civihzcd life, and who, at the signal of their chiefs, were ready to descend with fury upon their comi)aratively peaceful neighbours of the Lowlands. After Mar's re- bellion had been (plashed. General AVade was ordered to reconnoitre the Highlands, Avith instructions to observe tlieir strength and resources, to take a rough census of the population, and suggest such measures as he consi- dered best calculated to })romote the internal improve- ment of the country. In his Report, which was not de- livered until 17.'25, AV'ade estimated the nund)er of men capable of bearing arms at about .^.^jOOO, fully one-half of whom were disiifi'ected ; and, after describing tlunr mode of life and their thieving propensities, he showed the necessity of disarming the clans, and recommended the construction of forts, with military roads to render them easily accessible to the army.f The Government determined upon carrying out the reconunendations of the Genera], and assigned to him the duty of disarming * Tait's INIagazino, Peconibor, IS 19. t hpcaking of the Jlitflilaiul inhabitants, the General aaya in his Eeport : — " Tlioir notions of virtue and \ ice are very diU'erent from tlie more civilized part of maidand. The}- think it the most sublime virt>i(> to pay servile and abject obedience to the commands of their chieftains, although in opposition to their Sovereign and the laws of the kingdom; and to encourage this their lidi-lity, they are treated by their chiefs vith great familiarity ; they partake with them in their diversions, and ghalic them by the hand wherever they meet them." j;> in »•] STJIILING. — (ILASGOW. 117 (I k1 ler nit of iig tlio clans, and ninldiig tlio roads. Tlic first he only par- tially effected; bnt liis abilities as an engineer arc still evinced by the excellent highways, " smooth as a college green at Oxford,"* that i)cnetrate to the very centre of the mountain wiUls. Like all possessors of vested interests, the Highland Chiefs did not approve of Wade's work, and he encountered opposition from many of them ; neither did the turbulent clans wish that their c;loomv ii;lens should be too curi- ously inspected. Nevertheless Wade completed his de- sign. There still existed, however, no sufficiently powei'ful check upon the lawless proceedings that ke[)t the rest of Scotland in a state of perpetual alarm. The old systems of blackmail and cattle-lifting were still carried on, and, in spite of the weakly-garrisoned forts, rebellion was fos- tered in the Highlands, li was not, therefore, until the hopes of the Stuarts had been finally extinguished at Culloden, that, to put an end to so grievons a state of things, the ]\[inistry of George 11. resolved to enforce the power of the law. Accordingly, a series of very stringent Acts of Parliament were passed in the antumn of 1746 and in the year following. By the Rebellion Statutes, mi- litary tenures, or in Scottish legal parlance " wardhold- iiigs," were abolished ; the hereditary jurisdictions here- tofore Avielded by great families were transferred to the Crown ; the clans were to be more effectually disarmed ; the tartan and all party-coloured dress were strictly forbidden jf the Scottish Episcopalian clergy (mostly * CnrrutlitTs's ' lliuliliuid ^^'(Jtt>-1lOok.' t Tlio Disariiiinjjj Ai-t canio into opevaliou in June, 17 IS. Tlie term IVir the total abolition of tia- national ^aib was; enlarged until the l^t '. ' I ( I '.' \ I : , 1 118 LITE or WOLFE. ■ f • i I' I -. M J > Jacobites) were required to aljjure their allegiance to the Stuarts, to acknowledge the Hanoverian succession, and to pray for King George and his House. These enact- ments wei'e enforced with severe penalties. If arms were found in a Highlander's possession, or if he wore a phi- labeg; if a i)riest officiated contrary to the Act, or if either refused to take the oaths prescribed, he was liable to "ix months' imprisonment for the first offence, and trans- portation to the American Plantations for the second.* While the war on the Continent lasted, few troops could be spared for Scotland ; but after peace had been declared, several battalions were sent thither to serve as a kind of military police. One of these regiments was Lord George Sackville's, or the 20th Foot, which was quartered in Stirling when AVolfe was appointed j\Iajor of it, in the beginning of the year 1 749.1 As more than once before it had been his lot to act in a higher capacity than his conunission warranted, the j\Iajor, innnediately after he had joined his corps, was called upon to undertake the duties of commanding officer; the Lieutenant-Colo- nel, the Hon. Edward Cornwallis, having been appointed Captain-General and Governor of the new settlement of Acadia, or Nova Scotia. Under the most favourable circumstances the position must be a trying one to so young a jnan ; but when the social and political condition of August, ITl'.t ; but " sucli parts thereof us arc called the ])laitl, ])hila- bcjj;, or little kilt," were prohibited after the 25th of December, 1718. * 'Glasgow Past and Present,' vol. iii. t His commission is dated "January oth," but from the following' passage in a letter from John AVarde, Esq., to his brother George \\\w was then in Hcothind, it a])])ears that he did not join the corps befoiv the end of the month :—" Conduit Street, 21.th January, 17 l§. ... 1 saw ]\Iajor '\Volfe the other day, who is going northward and tells nic he shall see you." ''% ts :. ^ .fit ■^4<*»" 171'.).] STIRLING. GLASGOW. 119 !l- U> ore 1 1110 of tlic country, togctlier with the prcdoiiiinnncc of the iiiihtary power, arc considered, it is evident tliat the actual commander of a re<,nment in Seothmd had occasion for no small degree of self-control and prudence, in order to combine conciliation with the necessary firnmcss of pur- pose, — so as to act, in short, with tact.* AVolfe's early official acts as local commander of a corps are traceable through his regimental minutes, which are still preserved. It is enough t-^ sa' it they show his ^ Lawsou, the maid of honour, (J. Moi'dannt's niece. She pleased me then; l)ut the eampai;;!! in view, hattk-dore and (lanjj;erous, left little thought for lov(!. The last time I was in town, only three weeks, 1 was several times with her, — sometimes in publie, sonu'times at her i\nele's, and two or tluve times at her own house. She madc^ a sui'))risin^ })rogress in that short time, and won all my afl'cetions. Some people reekon her handsome; but J. that am her lover, don't think her a beauty. She has much sweetness of temper, sense enough, and is very civil and enga{i;ing in her behaviour. She re- fused a elergynum with ,tl. ')()() a year, and is at })res(M\t addressed to bv a very rich knivJit ; but to your antagonist's misfortune, he has tluit of being nuid added, so that I hold him cheap. In point of fortune, she has no more than I have a right to expect, viz. .C1.2,()0(). The maid is tall and thin, about my own age, imd that's the only o!)jection. I en- deavoured, with the assistance of all the art I was master of, to find out how any serious })roposal would be received by INfordaimt and her mother. It did not appear that they would be very averse to such a scheme; but as I am but twenty-two and three months it is rather early for that sort of j)rojeet; and if I don't attempt her, somebody else will. Tlie (ieneral and jNfrs. Wolfe are rather against it, from other more interested views, as they inn\gine. Thev have their eye upon one of .t'30,()()0. If a company in the Guards is bought for me, or I should be happy enough to purchase any lieutenant-colonel's commission witliin this twelvemonth, I shall certainly ask the question ; but if I'm kept long here, the fire will be extinguished. Young llames must be constantly fed, or they'll evaporate. I have done with this subject, and do you be silent upon it. Cornwallis is preparing all things for Nova Scotia ; his ab- sence will overbother me. jNIy stay must be everlasting ; and thou know'st, Hal, how I hate compulsion. I'd rather be a Major upon half-pay, by ray soul ! These are all new men to me, and many of them but of low mettle. Besides, I am by • • 1 ' i I ■ I ', ' , \\. X ■ \2i UVE >V WOM'K. u no mrans ambitious of commruid, wlioii that roinmnnd oMi^^os mo to reside far from my own, siirrounded eitliei" l)y (lattei'ei's or spies, and in a coimtry not at all to my taste. U'oidd to (iod you had a rompany in this ri"j;iment, tliat T mi^ht at h\nst find some comfort in vour eonversatiou. Connvallis asked to have Loftus with him. The Duke huii^hed at tlie re- quest, and refused him. You know 1 am ))ut an iiidifferent scholar. AVheu a man h'aves Ids studies at fifteen lie will never he iustiv called a man of letters. I am endeavonriiiji; to repair the damages of my eduetition, and have a person to teach me Latin and the ma- thematics, two hours a day, for four or (ive months: this may help me a littl(\ If 1 were to iudije of a country hv those lust come out of it, Irelaiui will never l)c aiireeahle to me. You are in the midst, and sec; the hri;;;htest and most shining in other than a soldier's character. I wish it more pleasinj;' to you than you mention, because probably you will stay there some time. The men liere arc civil, desij^uiuj^, and treacherous, with their immediate interest always in view; they pursue trade with warmth and a necessary mercantile spirit, arising from the baseness of their other qualifications. The women, coarse, cold, and cunning, for ever inquiring after men's circum- stances ; they make that the standard of their good breeding. Y''ou may imagine it would not be difficult for me to be pretty well received here, if I took })ains, having some of the advan- tages necessary to reconmicnd mc to their favour ; but . . . ^ly dear llickson, Your affectionate friend, J. ^VoL^E. To Captain Eiclcson, of Colonel Lascellcs' Ilogiracnt. To be left at Lucas's Cofl'oc House, Dublin. t '^ l'1 f* ri'oni the concliuliiip: paragraph of the above, it ap- pears that \A'olfc was not favourably impressed by Glas- gow society. JJut the town at that period was very dif- ferent from the tine city of the present day. In extent ■ ■ f ' V > iri'.i.] sTiiM.lN'd. — (;i.,\s(;o\v l::.') it sti'ctclicd IK) fiirllu'i' nloiip; its great arterial street (lian tlie liead of Stoekwell on tlie west, to tiie old (jlallow- gate port, o!i tlic east ; and tiie population did not exeied twenty thousand.''* The houses ol' tlic main street were lol'ty stone structures, the heavy fronts of whieli pjave an exceedingly sond)re as|)eet to the town. J'rohahly there luid been little eliange in either the i)lace or its iidia- l)itants from the davs of Bailie Nicol .larvie ; but Dr. Carlyk; gives a sketch of (dasgow society, in I71M, which proves that W'olh 's strictures were little, if at all, exaggerated. t The people improved, however, in ins estimation on further acipiaintimce, and, on the whole, he seems to have liked his residence in (alas:.>ow be^^er thai', any otluir of his Scotch (piarters. The (jieneral, thinking thirteenpence a day's pocket- money hardly enough for the Major, needed only the hint to replenish his son's empty purse. In reply to his father's letter, in which the veteran advanced some remarks upon the advantages of a military life, James writes as follows : — Glasgow, 7tli Ai)ril, 171!). Dear Sir, That variety incident to ;i niilitary life gives our i)rofes- sion some advantages over those of a nir''". even and constant nature. "\Vc have all our passions and vr; ;etions roused and exercised, many of which must have wanted their proper em- ployment had not suitable occasions ohliged us to exert them. Few men are aetiuainted with the dej^rccs of their own courage till dangers prove tlicnij and arc seldom justly informed how far the love of honour or dread of sliamc arc superior to the love of life. This is a knowledge to he best acquired in an * John Buolianaii, E: [., iu ' Chvsgow Past and rrcseiit.' t See Autobiography, pp. 71-5. >\ i I ■. ! 1.20 LITE OF WOLFE. I * > I 'SI rl ^ army ; our actions arc there in presence of the world, to be freely censured or approved. Constancy of temper, patience, and all tlic virtues necessary to make us sufier with a good grace, arc likewise parts of our character, and, as you know, frccpicntly called in to carry us through unusual diOicultics. What moderation and humility must he be possessed of that bears the good fortune of a successful war with tolerable modestv and humilitv, and he is verv excellent in his nature wlio triumphs without insolence. A battle gained is, I be- lieve, the highest joy mankind is capable of receiving, to him who commands; and his merit nuist be equal to his success if it works no change to his disadvantage. Lastly, a defeat is a trial of human resolution, and to labour under the mor- tification of being surpassed, and live to sec the fatal conse- quences that may follow to one's country, is a situation next to damnable. But I make my introduction a little too ?ong; liowevcr, as you started the subject, and gave mc the first liints, you won't be displeased. Your letter and several others mention Cornwallis's new officers. lie will certainly get the regiment in America, and I shall as certainly have a Lieutenant-Colonel put in. In this great demand for employment, Lord George's interest, or even the Duke's own, will hardly be sudicient to keep out a new man. The INIinistry must manage their people, and secure them by obligations. Let it be as it will, the sooner 'tis de- termined the greater share 1 shall have of freedom, and be more at liberty to visit vou in the south. 1 have this morning received a letter from my mother, by which it ai)pcars how great your consideration is for your poor INlajor, and how much I'm obliged to you for your ready as- sistance. I promise you these sums are not cmj)loyed but ni a manner that you yourself might approve ; and 1 should be ashamed ever to ask, but to such purposes as becomes your son; and that I should be oomcwhat cramped in a sort of generous notions that are part of ray inheritance, you should not hear from me on this ^u^^jnct ; for, though 1 had rather be indebted to you for any kind of aid thaii to any man alive, - k* U W) ] STIRLING. -fiLASr.OW 1:27 ir vet the name of a debt is more than cnoimh to make it (lis- a";rccablc in the afiair of money onlv. ^[y duty to my mother. ] am, dear Sir, etc., J. Wolfe. A week later, the Mujor, writing to his mother, after tlianking her and the General for sending liini relief as soon as they knew of his distress, continues : — \.t the same time I can't help saying tliat the fruits of my oun labour arc i)erlia[)s the most proper sup[)Ues, and if I should go any Icuutli beyond the usual boinuls, 'tis just 1 should pay for it. If ever my opinion diilers from my father's, 'tis certain to be in my own favour. I don't believe he ever thought better of mc than I. do of myself. The same reason - iug may serve for the greater part of mankind, so that it does not say that I am right when oj)p()sed to his sentiments. I can produce a ready excuse for not attending to the miseries of those that might look up to mc for relief when I declare an inability to help them, and that the common expenses of my otHcc at least require the revenue. But this is enough, and more than I intended, since for twenty -two, a ^Major's pay is pretty well ; however, without any extravagance, I could easily find use for more. Mrs. Inwood's care of you during your illness was very obliging; she deserves everything of me for her love to the House. I wish the boxes ten times more beautiful upon her account. She shall beat me at chess, scream in a coach inu'cprovcd, or do anything she pleases when I ai.i with her. Don't send any money by the sergeant, you'll find employ- ment f(n* it. They prosecute the wearers of cambric* with great severity * " Joliii ]\Iillor, nicrcliaut in Iliunilton, luis odcrccl a rowanl ofoiio .miiiu'ii, ovcM" and abovo wlial is proniisod ])y Parliament and hy llio trnsloi's, to each of llio Hrst iivo jiorsons \\]io slinll int'orni ni^iiinst wearers or sellers of Freueh cambrics or lawns in Lanark." (^cots Mas., i\Iay, 171!).) The Act 18 Geo. II., which came iuto cflect in Jnne, 17 IS, declared I.,.? 128 LirE OF WOLFE. r i" i; » ii ? ' ^/f "if 111 in tliis place, so that I stand in need of some change of stocks (not Bank Stocks nor Sonth Sea). If you can get me a dozen made of whatever sort you please, I shall thank you. This place is very far from being so disagreeable as it appeared at first. The ladies are very civil and in great numbers, and they arc not so des])erately afraid of a soldier as formerly. The inhabitants still retain all the religion they ever had, I dare say, with rather less outward ostentation and mockery of devotion, for which they arc justly remarkable. My uncle AVat has sent a drummer to the regiment; he is not a beauty. I wish Lord George don't dismiss him. The Major writ to rae about him ; I consented, provided his figure was tolerable. I do several things in my character of commanding officer which I should never think of in any other; for instance, I'm every Sunday at the Kirk, an example justly to be admired.^" I would not lose two hours of a day if it did not answer some end. AVhen I say " lose two hours," I must explain to you that the generality of Scotch preachers are excessive block- heads, so truly and obstinately dull, that they seem to shut out knowledge at every entrance. They are not like our good folks. Ours are priests, and though friends to veuuison, they are friends to sense. As there were no barracks in Glasgow, Wolfe, desirous of retirement in order to pursue his plan of self-iniprove- nient, lodged in the eastern suburb of Candachie. His that "it sliall not be lawful tor aii}- jiersou to wear iu Circat Britain, in anj ganuoni or apparel whatever, any eanibrie or French Lawn, under a ])cnaitj^ of lo for every offence." The same applied to venders and milliners. Owing to the prohibition of foreign manufacture, the line Scoteli linens callo Carolines came into general use. (Scots Mag., vol. X. (17 IS) p. 2(J0 (7 .sry.) * The oilicers not being particularly attentive to tliis branch of their duty, there is a Eeginu^ntal Minute of July 1, 17U) : — " Lord George Sackville hopes that decency, and a proper sense of duty, will for tlie future prevail ui)ou the oilicers to attend Divine Service, and that the con\manding ollicer of the regiment may not be obliged to order them to church with their respective companies." I • M**) e-r 171!).] STIRLING. — CiLAS(iuW l'2\) abode, vvliicli is still standing, is a (jnaint-looking, two- story house, 1)iiilt in 1720 by Mr. Walkinsluiw, tlie fatlier of Prince Charles's mistress."* In this quiet retreat he sat down to his self-imposed tasks under the g-ui(huicc of the College tutors. At the same time he did not shun society, but frequently visited at Sluuvfield, the residence of Colonel Macdowall, Mr. Barclay's, of Capel- rig, and other houses of the neighbouring gentry. The presence also of his friend and Colonel, Lord George Sackville, who visited his regiment in the course of the summer, while it relieved the !Major of the responsibility of command, added to his pleasures an agreeable com- panionship. On the ;2Sth of April, Wolfe informs his lather: — I am within thi^ liour returned from Ediubnrgli, whore I was a necessary person in a most disagreeable ollicc. I went there to l)ury a Ca[)tain of the regiment who died of a spotted fever at his retnrn from Shetland ; that same ]\Iilhourno whose fortitude and good understanding preserved our four conq)anies, lived to see them safe, and then left them lor over.f The regiment has lost an excellent olliccr, and can little spare a (^aptain of his abilities at a time like this, as may be imagined. He was our Paymaster. His long absence from the corps has thrown the accounts into confusion, and there are few men hkc him capable of setting them to rights. I saw several letters from London y' spoke of our affairs. It gives me some concern y' my old master [Colonel Rich] * The (.V'ltic luune Canihfchic sitj;nilu's, '" llio uiirv lioiul of tli'.' Imni." n wiiuliiii; stream ninniiif; tliruiiv;li tlio villai^o. The house was sold after Mr. Walkiusliaw's cleat li, iu 17:50. aiul at the time of Wolfe's re- sidence was the jjroperty of Mr. Orr, of IJiirrowllehl. (John Buehanan, l^s(|., Ghis<;o\v.) t Notwithstandini^ imicli iiKjiiiry, it lias been found impossihlo to explain tlie manner in which the I'aynuisler |ireser\ed the companies; nor is his death noticed in the obituary of' Hcots ^Maiia/cine.' K V--.1 I. '' 1150 MFK OF WOLFK. M I' 1. I. ■ , ' ..J ■ V ■ f lias had ill-natured things said of him. lie is strong to bear up ajjainst those sort of attacks^ and if they put him upon the staff will laugh at their rage. About fifteen hundred men will be ordered this summer to the roads ; our battalion furnishes their proportion."^ Would you think that they intend to strike off a little cxtraordimiry pay hitherto allowed the subaltern otlieers upon that duty? Such seandalous, ill-timed parsimony was never practised in any army before, and never ean be without creating uneasiness and dislike.f These poor gentlemen are slaves to the service, and hardly get bread ii'om it ; and should they be cut ofl' from this little seasonable advantage ? A few noticeable events in the annals of Glasgow oc- curred about this time. One of them was a tremendous fire that devastated the Gorbals, on the south side of tlie Clyde, by which one hundred and fifty families were rendered homeless. There being no Glasgow police in those days, the regiment exerted itself upon the occasion, and the officers afterward.' subscribed liberally towards the fund for the relief of the suflerers, Lord George head- ing the list with fifty pounds. J * " April 25, 171i*. — By the Duke's orders, two eaplains, six subal- terns, six cor])orals, and tliree hundred men o' tlie reffinient, to Moi'k on the road from the Pass of Leny to the Iiead of Loeli Earn. All paviors, earpenters. smiths^ miners, and briekla^'ers, to be sent on this serviee ; uo I'eeruits nor aw kward men, unless they happen to be of these trades." The private.s were to be furnished with coarse shirts for Avorkintj; in ; but c/iccl' ones were on no account to be boujflit. ("Wolfe's Regimental Orders.) IVrhajJS the ])atteru of check was considered to ver(/., sergeants l.v., corporals 8(^., and privates (W. a day. X "Major "NVulfo and the other olllcers of Lord Geori;e Sackville's reifiment were ])resent all the time, and were of sinj^ular service, by ])lacinjf guards upon the bridge and at all the avemies, to keep off the crowd and prevent their stealing the eflects belonging to the ])oor the i 1710.] STJKLING. — GJ.AStiOW. 1:31 Another iiicitlcut, whicli caused no little stir in the town, is alluded to in a letter from Wolfe to his mother, on the 21st of May: — "We expected a great tumult and some mischief at the i)unishment of the two men concerned in the mob ; but they have prevented all that by cscai)ing from prison. The timorous behaviour of the magistrates will not fail to create suspicions to their prejudice."* The riot, which had occurred in March, arose from a corpse having been raised by a party of resurrectionists. The body was supposed to have been carried to the College, upon which the mob attacked the building, smashed the windows, and perpetrated other depredations. Several of the rioters were tried, but only two were found guilty, and sentenced to be whipped through the town, and banished for life; but, during the time cT divine service on the Sunday before the day appointed for their punishment, they made their escape. Three surgeon-aj)prentiees also were indicted for the grave robbery, who were " fugitated for non- compearance."f A more important event, though probably it caused less sensation amongst the populace, was the starting of a staKC-coach between Glasgow and Edinbnri'li on the 2 Uh of April. A vehicle was advertised to set out twice \ ■'! ', * 1 1 I suflorers. Many of tlio solcliors exerted tlicinselves in (juencliiug the llaiuos iiud saving jjeople's lives." (Glasgow Courant.) * It was probably some indiscretion arising out of this afl'air which caused the ibUowiug minute: — "June 1st. The Major desires that none of the olllcers will oblige him to put out any orders that may relate particularly to them, and hopes they will avoid all (juarrela with the inhabitants, whidi must necessarily teiul to their discredit and mis- chief, as nujy clearly be perceived from what already has hapixned." t Scots Magazine. K :> » 1 '■ f *■ f » i' 132 LIFE (jr WOLTE. •f r r^ I * ji week from eitlier place ; the passengers, ^' lio were allowed a stone weight of luggage each, were to he con- veyed the entire distance of forty-four miles for nine shillings a head ; and tli'^ journey v»as to be performed in two days.* Grave burgesses, who had heard of the f.ulnre of former attempts of the same kind, shook their heads at so rash an undertaking; for wise men were not wont to run to and fro over the earth, when a fortnight was spent in the journey from Glasgow to London, and Avhen the arrival of the English mail in the north was signalized by firing a gun.f Neither business, stndy, nor pleasure prevented Wolfe from keeping up his correspondence with home. In a letter to his mother (July the l{)th), there is a portrait of himself after illness, with some mention of Miss Law- son, and of his old schoolmaster, which are worth ex- tracting : — It is not easy to descriljc myself in my present state. If I say I'm thinner, you'll imagine mc a shadow or a skeleton in motion. Ih short I'm everything hut what the surgeons eall a subject for anatomy ; as far as muscles, bones, and the larger vessels can serve their purpose, they liave a clear view of them in mc, distinct from fat or fleshy impediment. My Maid of Honour (for I tliink she should, somehow or other, be distinguished,) you say was not of the party you f /h * ' Scots ]\raga/,iiio.' In (lie year 17()S. a oontract was ontorod into between lhenia ri 1 "1 i;{( 1,1 1' t; or woLFK. I forgot in my la.st to sjicak of Captain Flight ; I know liim (juitc wcllj and can assinc those that iuiinirti after liini that there is nowhere a man of a hetter disposition. He is greatly esteemed among us, and hy all Ins aecpiaintance ; 'twas the highest injustice of me not to mention him l)cf()re, as I could :.ot in truth say anything that was not to his ad- \ant.'ige. My duty to my father. 1 am, My dear ^Fadam, etc., J. AVoi.FK, .I- The Major's promotion to the Ijietitciinut-Coloiielcy wns HOW in agitation, for it had heeii (l('tern)inc3(l that Corn- wallis was not to retnrn to the corps. On the 18tli of September, Wd.r writes to his fallivr : — Lord Tyrawley said humorously, heing asUed if the King spohe to him, and how he received his lordsliip, that " few Avords arc best among friends."* The Duke has not kept you in suspense, from whence wc nuiy conclude — according to I jor( IT vraw lev -that our afi: m's are w ell tl lere I 1 lope his lloyal Iiighness will tnakc such a choice as must oblige us to own his justice. K he is an older olHeer, it is to be supposed he is a better, and then there can be no complaints on our side. I have attaincul to such a height of indilfcrence and dif- fidence together, that a denial sits verv easy upon me. 1' re- qucnt refusals might in time alienate my affections from the service, especially if many years arc wasted in exile, with no \cvy entertaining objects to employ the thoughts upon. * " Lord Tynnvlrv." says Walpolc. •'luid a lliorouijli knowlodifc of llu' world. l]ioiiii;li loss of liis own country than of olliors. He litiil loii<,' hi'cn minister in J'ortu<,^il. wIumv lie yivw into sucli favour, that tiie Inlc Iviuij;. to koc)) liini tlu'i'c. would luivc a|-|)ointc';l]iiiii a(u'uoral. Ho Inula groat doal ol iiuniour. and occasional nood-1)roodiiig ; but udI to tlu> jircjudico nf his natural tciiijicr, which was iiupcriousl}'' blunt, hani;]ity, and oontonii)tuous, with ;in undaunted jtortion of s])iril. Accustomed to tho dospotisni of l'ortut;al, Muscovy, and the ;irniy. In- liad lilth- revcrciH'o for ])arlianionts, jind always sjiolvo of theiu as (ho riH'Uch do of the long robo." (IN'onioirs of Gcorije fl., vol. ii. p. 2i)l. See also. • Chathaiu Corres])ondonco.' and Wnlpolo's Ijolters.) li Ki;»,] STIHMNCi.- (;i,.\S(i(i\\ . l.u Mrs. \\\M'{i was (U'siioiis that \wr son sliould ])ass the winter inontlis at lioiiio; and lie writes to iiitonn her that it cannot be so, in the follow ing terms: — OIiii»fro\\, L'rnI 0('t(.lty fortnij;bt we leave this town, and till we I'cturu to it camiot ho[)e to tind so j^ood (piarters. According to tlu; rotation of tbe troops in Scotland, the sixth year brings us l);iek ; but 'tis a dreadful interval, a little liCe to a milit.'ry uian ; and for my ])articular, so far from being in love with the country, that I'd go to the Rhine, or Italy, nay, serve a campaign against the Turks, rather thau continue in it the time I hav(; mentioned, and that too in the very Ijlooming season of our days. It is my luisfortunc to miss the improv- ing hour, and to ch^gcncrate instead of brightening. Few of my companions 'stu'pass me in eououon knowledge, l)ut most of them in vice. This is ; truth that I should blush to relate to one that had not all mv confidence, lest it bo lliought to proceed either from insolence or vaiii^y ; but I think you don^t understand it so. I dread their hal)its and l)eluiviour, and am Ibreed to an eternal watch upon myself, that I may avoid the very numncr which 1 most condemn in them. Young men slu)uld have some object constantly iu their aim, some shining character to direct them. 'Tis a dis- advantage to be first at an imperfect age ; cither we become enamoured with ourselves, seeing nothing superior, or fall into the degree of our associates. ( ■i !, \:^ > I ■ ■ I t '^n 138 I, IFF OF WOI.FF. I'll stop hero, that you may not think mc very im 's,y. Af I now uni, it is possiljlc that I might he better pU (i. out niv tlutv and n natunil indolence of temper make it less irk- some; and then n jjretty constant employnu'ut helps to get me through, and secures mc from excess or debauch. That, too, is eiu)ugh prevented by the ollicc of a commander. My duty to my fatlu-r. 1 am, dear Madam, Your obedient and afTectionatc Son, J. WoLtE. VM) CIIAPTER Vn, rKllTIT. NtivKMiU'ii, 17U»— Sr.i'Tr.MiiF.ii, 17')0. The rep^iincut under tlic coinninnd of Major Wolfi; en- joyed riivourahhi weather on tlie march, of one-and-sixty miles, from (jlasgow to Per(l), for the antinnn turned out as fine as the sunnner had hecn unsejisonaUIe. It is scarcely necessary to remind the reader that tlic lloval Hnrijjli of 1719 b^re Hitle resemblance to the " Fair City " of our day. The leading thoroughfares were but narrow lanes, seldom s\\'Q\)t except by an opportune overflow of the Tay ; and the town, composed of wood- fi'onted houses, liad neither trade nor manufacture, while the building of most note was John Knox's Kirk. The environs, though then, as now, naturally beautiful, pre- sented a very different degree of culture; for the vale through which the broad river winds was little better than a marsh. It may, therefore, be within the truth to say, that all the centuries from the time when Agricola is said to have exclaimed, '' Jilcce Tiber ! Eccc Campus Martiifs !'' down to the middle of the eighteenth, left fewer marks of man's industry than the single century which followed. '. * i:"' 110 LIFE OF \VOr,FE. The Twcntii'th reginicnt li;ul not been long static. iicd ill Pci'tli when Lord Huiy was a[)i)oiiuc(l Colonel ; and as tlic Major was obliged to coircspond fVc(|Ui;ntly with his new coinmander, probably he had little leisure to write home. At all events no letter of his from Perth has reached us [)ii()r to one of the 15th of December. A short extract from his coinmunieation to his mother on that dav furnishes a picture of the times : — " The women in this country partake very much of society with men, and by that means gain a certain freedom of behaviour nncoinmoii in England. 'Tis a usual thing for the ma- trons to sit at table with the mci till very late, and con- cur in everything but the actual debauchery; and as the men warm with win^, they speak openly enough to give offence with us." This might appear to be somewhat overdrawn, had not recent representations by native writers on Scottish maii- ners, at even a later period, more than borne it out. It was a time when gaudv ostentation and disgustiuii: slo- vcnliness were common to both sexes : when elderly ladies wore worsted gowns with aprons, and huge linen caps, ca'led /o//.v, and gentlemen lounged away the morn- ing in greasy nightca})s and dirty dressing-gowns ; drunk- enness, instead of being considered a vice, was h)okcil upon as a sign of manhood, and clergymen felt no shame ill being regarded as jovial companions. Domestic com- fort w;is as yet unthought of. The ra[) of a poker, or the heel of a shoe, served all the purposes of a bell, and was answered by a lassie without shoes or stockings. Ea;thenware and glasses were represented by less brittle Moodeii platters and pewter pots ; and guests commonly 17 19-51 ).] PERTH, Ml came provided with their own knives and forks. As to cookery, tlic less said of it the better. Tiie bedchambers sehloin had fire-i)laces, and half-a-dozen pairs of Scotch blankets were not too many for winter nights in the North. As windows were not made to open, the low- ceiled apartments of ordinary honses were never tho- ronghly ventilated ; and soap and water being deemed snpcrthious, tiie natnral consecpiences were fre([nent in- fections disorders * Ihit to retnrn to the Major's correspondence. lie opens the new yi'ar, as we wonld call it, with the follow- ing unnsually short letter to his mother : — rerlli, intli Jaiui:n-v, IToO. Dear ^[adani, Since Lord Gcorjic Sackvillc left the rcgimciit I liavc chauf^cd my way of life. When we were at Glasgow toji;cthor I had taken that opportunity to acquire a few things that 1 Avas before ignorant of, and in which I might expect assistance from some of the people of the College. I was even so far engaged that I did not give up such a share of time and atten- tion as was due to his lordship. Now all this is vanished, and I am entirely at leisure to prosecute sucii entertainments as I find of use to my health and agreeable to my taste. As the latter is generally subservient to the first, 1 have improved and strengthened my constitution beyond what 1 have hithcrtc known. Your letter confirmed some unsteady thoughts I have had of providing a little coarse linen, and I made the ))urchiijC the dav after I received it. Seven shirts at three shillings a yard will be durable wear. Yes, I shall be very rich whenever we meet ! 1 have the talent for heaping up wcaltli, and the temptation must be very great when 1 am persuaded to part with it ! * Dr. Somcrville's Life aial Tiinos. i I; 143 LITE OF WOLFE. ' > ^ly Lieutenant (Piirtridge) came by here a few days since, and delivered Miss lloskins's compliments, lie is her neigh- bour at Croydon, lie tells me he thinks her a eom])lete woman, and advises me, as a friend, to make up to her. This is his counsel, and the manner in which he offered it. But lie did not know ]\Iiss Lawson : he confessed that. I thaidi vou for rememberi ;, my birthday; I had almost forgot it myself, and was in dispute about my own ago — whether twenty-three or twenty-four. j\Iy duty to my father, etc. J. Wolfe. It will be recollected that in liis letter to Captain Rickson the jMajor represented that his parents dis- couraged his attachment to j\liss Lawson, whose fortune they deemed inadequate, and that they had " an eye upon one of thirty thousand pounds." The lady they approved of as a suitable match for their son was the above-mentioned jMiss Hoskins, of Croydon, whose com- pliments were delivered by Lieutenant Partridge. It would also appear from a passage in the Icttei* preceding the last, either that the General and Mrs. Wolfe had positively forbidden the banns, or that Miss Lawson had rejected his suit, for he had written: — "This last disap- pointment in love has changed my natural disposition to such a degree, that I believe it is now possible I might prevail upon myself not to refuse twenty or thirty thou- sand pounds, if properly offered. Rage and despair do not connnonly produce such reasonable effects ; nor arc they the instruments to make a man's fortune by but in particular cases." But neither his duty to his parents, — which, by tlie way, he carried to an extent unknown to grown-up chil- dren in these our days, — nor the prospect of a larger for- I7n»-r)().] IKllTII, 143 tune, nor the fair one's coldness, could abate the fervour of AVolfe's love. His next letter, being addressed to his father, turns chiefly upon professional affairs. On the 31st January he writes : — My Colonel (Lord Hury) and I have very exact corrospou- dcncc. lie is extremely bent upon procuring all the know- ledge of regimental alliiiis that the distance between us will allow of, in order, 1 sup[)ose, to niiike such alterations and amendments as seem requisite, and to lie the better prepared against he comes amongst us. I answer his letters very punc- tually, arid endeavour all in my power to satisfy him in such j)articulars as arc properly -within my sphere; confniing, how- ever my judgment of men and things to what is purely mili- tary and belonging to my otficc. He can give you weekly intelligence as far as the assurance of a letter can go, whenever you are so good to make incjniry after me. I have heard very lately from Gibraltar, and both my friends k *• ' ft- Loftus and Donncllan seem to detest their situation, and are a little displeased with their Governor. They com])lain of being too strictly confined, and of too ranch duty. These arc real grievances at the end of seven campaigns, when men very na- turally desire some respite from the fatigue of a soldier's life, especially as they sec almost all their brethren in ([uict and ease. I am afraid General Bland is not '\\''^c so well bred and polite as might be wished j he has a roughness about him that breaks out sometimes into ill mauncrs, v. hen he is in authority. I'm glad that my cousin Goldsmith Vi^s at last got u com- pany."^ I suppose it is so. 1 dare say \\z is obliged to you for some assistance ; or, if you liavc not done hnn some service, I'm sure there was no want of inclinatioii in you to do it. All your relations will, I am j)crsuaded, agree that if they have deserved well of you they have not found }ou backward. * "January, 175(). Edwanl GuUlsiiiilli, Escj., ai)i)oiutocl Ca])taiinii Otway's (:35tli) regiment of Foot." (Scots Magazine, from Gaz';ttc.) I ; , . ,1; 114 Ml'li OF WUIFK. From a subsequent letter to j\Irs. Wolfe a couple oi' passages are selected : — Your opinion of Miss Lawson lias inflamed mc ancw^ and you have exactly liit upon that i);irt of lier perfection (her be- haviour) that Morlvcd the stronj^cst upon nie; for 1 have ' "az}' Life (Juard&'uan haviuL? prophesied a more fatal re])etitio'. on tiie Itli of April, ru'redible numbers of people left their homes, and walked i,_: ,ae fielus, or lay in boats all nii^ht. People of fashion drove out of town and sat in their coaches till daybreak, and the roads were never more throuifcd with fuL;itivcs. " So far, and even to thir wits' end had their sujjerstitious fears or guilty eonscieuce driven them." Sjo 'Geutlomau's Magazine,' vol. xx. pp. 89, 137, ami 1S4. 1710-50.] PERTH. 147 army of this nation in its dcfcnco, I shall wish to he with him, and glad to contribute something to his snecess. This is the only return that can he justly made from me to him, and all, I believe, he would expect. 1 think myself much obliged to Lord George Sackville, and have writ him the strongest as- surances of it. AVhat he said some time ago to his Royal Highness left, no doubt, a favourable impression, and for- warded this succession. 1 did not forget to tell (lolonel Napier that some thanks arc ccrtainlv due to him. The last three years of the war I was immediately about his person, and without his fricndslip and approbation things could not have gone on so smoothly .'^^ From a great deal of little trifling business I have fallen into a state of inactivity. If it were possible, while 1 am capable of improvement, and young enough to apply, I could wish to be allowed an interval to be bestowed npon myself; a year and a half or two years would wear off the rough, unpolished coat, and give a gloss to all my fu- ture actions. It nuiy be reasonably said that I have not for seven years past been at liberty to aecpiire the common ac- complishments, mnch less to endjellish or refine. I'm per- suaded you would have thought it necessary, had not the war prevented yonr intentions, to have sent me from l^nglaiul to some place proper for the purpose. I hope you still think it not too late, aiul this the fairest opportunity. Turin seems the best calculated to answer my ends. I shall be glad to have your opinion, and to know whether you api)r()vc my choice and inclination, and what steps should be taken for efl'ecting it. On the 27th of April the Lieutenant-Colonel again writes to his father, stating that Lord liury did not wisli * Lioiit. -Colonel (KolxTt) ^'aiiier Ix'canu' Di'inUy (Jiiarti'rniastcr- Cicnoral in 1715. The folknvinif year lie was iiroiiioted to llic rank of Colonel, and appointed Adjutant-General. Cieorye 11. yave liiin the eolonelcy i>ra new re<,nnient (olst Foot) in 1755. Fti' rose to tli< rank of Lieutenant-Cieneral in 175'.>, and died in 2s'oveuiber, 1700. (' liecords of the 13ritisiU Army.') L 2 •■tK^Sf. „i;?rr.-. '•»'( 118 1,1 ri: or woli'k. inn- . I lihn to l)u al)scnt for any Iciiglh of time from the regiment. "I am nevertheless," lie continues, "still determined to employ some years of my life in the reid business of an ofHcer; and not saerit^ee all n)y time to idleness, or our tiifling soldiership. Some of the nations of Murope w ill soon give me an o})portnnity to put this resolution into practice. I have this day received a letter from my uncle Wolfe. He says he has writ to you ahout my going to Turin ; he certainly mear.s well, but 1 know it to be uimecessary and supcrfiuous. What is to be done for my advantage you were never backward to comply with ; nor need you any second ap})lication when the first appears reasonable, of which nobody will dispute your right of judging." In the next letter Mrs. Wolfe is told that her son cannot visit her until some months later, and he ex- presses great concern at not being able to s[)en(l [)art of the sunnner at Greenwich ; for nothing would do him so much good, or agree so well with his constitution, as the air of Kent ; and thai " it blows nowhere clearer or purer than upon Shuter's Hill, or in the Park." Then, connnending his mother's tenderness, and her desire to make the old General's life easy and liappy, the writer adds mv us u T have only one thing to say, which is that as le fatl both las a Iready made as com]) lete pr ovision for as IS necessary to our well-being, no future t views for you or ine can any longer be looked n[)on as sufficient reasons to debar him any enjoyment that it is possible to procure him in tliis life ; so don't wait for me to take such resolutions as you think most agreeable to his inclination." " n 'I: 1 7 m-. ')().] PKUTH. Ill) From the sniuc letter, out of nmch irrelevant matter, we may ])ick a passing remark upon tlu; fJreenwieli schoolmaster: — "It gives me vast pleasure that Mr. Swinden is in so fair a way of obtaining the character of i» fathi!r; his understanding and good teniper fit him for the education of chihlren." There is also a touch of satire in reference to his aunt's, Mrs. F. Thompson's, ujar/iage, which tluit lady's nej)hew s})caks of as a " pleasant thing," and hopes that the happy man, whom he su})poscs to be a philosopher, "as a granunariiui docs not depend upon lis rhetoric to keep her in good humour." * ]n order to enjoy a little recreation and recruit his health, our young Lieutenant-Colonel, in the beginning of June, retired into the country, where goats' whey and bathing did him much service; but after two or three weeks' absence from Perth he was obliged to return thither to meet Lord Ihuy, who then paid the regiment his first visit, ran through the Highlands, looked at the forts, and returned, all in three weeks. As his lordship eNjjected his lieutenant to see to the men's clothing, and to make the necessary arrangements for change of (piar- ,ers in October, A\'olfe's leave of absence was further postponed. INIean while, the home correspondence is not neglected. There is no letter, however, of general inter- est until we come to one of the 1 r)th July to his father, wherein the condition of the Highlands is the chief topic, * Afrs, "Wolfe's sistor, Fi'diirr.f, marriod Stcjjlicn Altlliorpc, D.D., I'cllow (if Eton ColK'f^c, slol)-l)^()lluM•()l'^^'illiilln Cuk', \vli(is|it'!iksof bis iiiccos Fi'aiices and Aiiiic AI>tli(ir))o as lirst cousins to ^^'olfc'. (Addi- ti..iwil AISS.. r>. A£. ls;32; >'ii'li()ls' ' Litoniry Anci'dotes.') ]Mrs. Ab- '. ^ il Kirpc (lu'd in ; / OO. loO IJFF. OF WOr.FK. r {111(1 to which a loiif^ postscript is nppciuU-d, coutuiiiiiif^, huly-hkc, the iiiiittcr of most iiiipoitaiicc; to the writer, wlio was as pcitiuacious upon tliis point as he was con- staiit to his lirst love. K very til iii;^: in Scothuid is in th(! ni(^st pcrA jt cilni and (|ui('t. Hut late discoveries have made it very apparent that tlic truKinillitv of this countrv is no-how so well secnrcd as by a considerable armed body ; and such a body is now so dis- posed tlnoufjliont the whoU' llij^hlands that any utteni[)t must be eruslu (I in the bcf^iiinJMEj. TIk* Ilijililandeis are so nar- rowly watch' A that thev arc even forced to abandon the fa- vonrite [)racLice of stealing;' cattle, and are cither reduced to live hone.'^tly and industriously, or starve throujjh excess of idleness. Since 1 wiit ni last U'tter to you, 1 have been in a country ■where Coloiu'l La!';i!!sille's name is still dreadful in their cars, and where "c ha\e a detachment ehie(i\' intended to prevent the ollieers of the Scotch re^niuents in the Frei ch service from recridtinu:. 1 went three days successively a-shootinii; in the hills from five in the morning till night. I never knew such fatigue. Son '- amends wcu'C made us by the (pumtity of J3;amc ami «'i("g;uii ^' of the sjjort; but I, who am a very bad shot, luul an e(;ual share of the lal)our and less of the enter- tainment. P.S. — I haye -ome thoughts of going this winter into Lorraine, to jNIetz, or Thionvillc, if you a]);)royc the notion. 11" I am to be absent from the regiment, I suj)pose it is the same thing to the Duke where 1 am, but to myself of vast importance. I Avant to be perfect in the French language. There is a fine academy of artillery and the business of an enginec i at Metz. T shall be glad of your 0[)inion, by which 1 shall always be regulated. A winter idly spent in London (and 'tis dilHcidt not to spend it idly) would, at this time, be of sensible prejudice; perhaps infuse such notions and incli- nations as are not to be got the better of. On the loth of August Wolfe replies to a letter of his * Jci Esq., iii M\> C'listl,., from '*' il M 17H)-3«.] rKUTII. 151 iiiollici's, rclnlivc to (Idiiicslic losses, niul cniisoUs lirr in a luamii'i' \hA Kss [)liilos()[»IiiL*iil tlinii aUVrtionatc. Though your k'ttrr lias in it some unpleasant particulars, the \\eak condition of vour health is bv far the more so. It is easy lor us all to hear up ajrainst attacks of a Usscr kind, hut to he (lisal)led aiul cut ofl' hy distemper from the enjoynuiit of life and rommou frjKiuiUity is the heaviest of all ealaniili(s. For some years past we have l)ej:;un a course of j^ood foitune, preserNcd and proteetetl where was nu)st need, and, my hroth'M''s dciith exce^jtcd, free; from alUietion. A\ e may make sonu; allowance now, and, for my ])art, who am likely to he the j^rcatest suH'crer ;iiiy diminuti lU of tin; stock, I can easily consoU' myself for cs that wav. All 1 desire is, that you two may nu'ct witii no distui hanee to your own persons, hut pass yoiw days in health and peace. 1 h(;artilv wish that these lighter accidents mav not interrupt your fe-lieity, which 1 would have fixed upon the firmest foun- dation. T have htit just returned from Lord (Jlenorchy's, where I staved a week. Ijadv (ilcnorehv is vour ae(|uaintance, and ex- presses a j^reat regard foi' you. S!ie says you have sur[)risinj]; luck at (jUi.drille, and hid nie tell you she wishes it nniy con- tinue. The poor woman is in a state of banishment; she hates the eouutrv and dislikes the iidiabitants. Ik-r love to her husbatul, and immoderate fondness for her young so'i, arc just enough to make her stay tolerable.'^ They invited and entertained me with all imaginable civility. George AVarde madci nie a visit of four days. I could not help being astonished at the str(>ngth of his understanding, * .Inliii, 'N'iscount Gk>norcliy, -was the only son of tln' third Earl of J3roa(lall)inio. lie niarriod Willirhna, dau^liti-r of A\ illiain Maxwell, \\s{\., of Preston, and died (before his fatlier) in 1771 . w itlnmt survi- viin; issue. (Burke's 'Peerage.') As Tayniouth L'astle did not exist in Wolfe's time, most probably the jilace visited by liiiii was ]}alloeh Castle, tJic ancient seat of the Breadalbane family, only a few miles from IVrtli. '. ! IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // % ^^ h fe 5r ^/^ 1.0 IpM IIIM I.I 1.25 il 111 1.6 V <^ z '># >

o^ s .ii.^ C/j "^m 152 LIFE 01' WOLFE. ^1 ■•■ f, ; t ■ 1 tf '' il I ■ f II ! (i-.-l iL^'f I' 'ill 1 '. Mb which T never discovered so fully before. To that he has added a just and upright way of thinking very nnconimon, and the strictest morals of any young man amongst my ac- quaintance; this last Mon't surprise you, because he was never reckoned vicious. He is extremely indifferent as to preferment and high employment in the array, partly from his defect of speech, but principally from an easiness, or rather indolence, of temper that make him unfit to bear a heavy part in life. IHie following letter to his father shows how fiir in advance of the day ^Volfe's id'jas were upon the proper qualification of a military officer : — rcrth, 1st September, 1750. Dear Sir, I am glad to have your approbation in whatever I nnder- take, especially in those things that arc most worth your con- sideration, and arc of importance to myself. The assurances you give mc of your assistance are kind and friendly. If the request be properly examined, there can be no objection to it ; for I ask no more than au opportunity to be better acquainted with the duty of an officer, and to have it in my power to speak the French language correctly, — a language that is now in such general use. For idleness or amusement I need not go out of London, or at least not further than Paris; but as the busi- ness I am going vqion will require all my labour and atten- tion, I chusc to be at a distance from any temptation. If the Duke consents, it will be Avitli regret; for the perfection of military knowledge, in his Royal Highncss's eye, is the com- mand of a regiment to men of our rank, and his notion of care and diligence centres entirely in sticking eternally at the same point, viz. the Battalion; though I could undertake to make it appear that nothing is more necessary towards doing one's part well than a little respite at convenient seasons. Lord Biny, too, will with difficulty 1)e brought to hearken to such a proposal. I intend to try him in a post or two, and ask ten months' leave at oiicc. Though I have all the reasons 171'J-5().] rERTll. 153 in the Avorld to be satisfied with his bcliaviour to me, yet there are many circumstances tliat foretell his opposition ; but the manner in which he will express himself will leave me no room to be displeased even with a denial as to his part, or rather lio^ll endeavom" to satisfy me of his good intentions, and fix the refusal somewhere else. I shall be cruelly disappointed if this fails, for my time of api)lieation will soon be over, and the sooner by the discourage- ment and mortification that follow the disappointment. If General j\Iordaunt is in town, I can write to him. He may say something u])on the occasion that might be serviceable. Donnellan complains bitterly of" Gibraltar; he desires me to s[)eak to you in favour of him, bnt as it is a regimental busi- ness, I shall be tender, though I heartily wish he could be indulged. I beg my duty to my mother, Aud am, dear Sir, etc., J. Wolfe. > I After the date of the above, some more time was passed by the Lieutenant-Colonel, visiting the neigh- bouring gentry. His health was now comparatively strong, and as he still entertained the hope of being permitted to pursue his scheme of improvement on the Continent, his spirits also were good. The last filial missive from rcvth is an amusing med- ley. It exhibits, however, some characteristic traits ; a few passages from it may therefore interest the reader. ', ' '' . 23rtl September, 1750. Dear ]\Iadam, I am a little later in answering your letter than I ought to be. The truth is, 1 have been at a gentleman's house in the country, where they would not allow me leisure even to do tlic most pleasii-g parts of my duty, and hindered me from , i: *^ ■ Vi -r • 5 1 ■ I i' i I. ^il. ci ^• 154 LIFE Ul' WOT-FE. writing to you. I'm sorry to lioar that knavery has crept into your town, and to your very doors. These arc interrup- tions and inconveniences in life that wc arc in England very much troubled with, and yet much more to be desired than the murdering bloody genius of the other natior.s. The mild- ness of our laws does not enough discourage the i)racticc of robbing, but in a great measure prevents the terrible eflccts of despair. 1- ■ .1 1 . j I hope Lady Vanbrugh Avill accept your offer, or, if she does not, I hope you'll come up to her price. A good and healthy situation can't be purchased at too high a rate, and the Castle you speak of, if I remember right, is so situated.* I want to have you m'cH fixed in a comfortable house in a wholesome air, and when you procure that for yourselves, you'll help me to a great share of tranquillity that I am un- acquainted with, Avhile there remains anything to be done that can furnish you with the means of happiness. I give you my word that though I have in myself a wandering and un- settled turn of mind, regardless of any fixed condition, and indifferent as to many of the great concerns of life, yet I am perfectly steady when I consider of your well-being, and earnestly bent upon seeing you in quiet possession of the few things that arc necessary to satisfy your moderate desires. I am delighted to hear you say my father has been so well this summer. Am I never to eat figs with him in his own garden? How readily M'ould I resign my military authority, and lay down my command, for the pleasure of walking with him upon the dry ground, and gathering his fruit ! There's no fish in this part of the world but salmon ; in the * The Castle built upon Maize Hill by that " wit full of mirth in liis comedies, and architect full of gravity in his buildings," Sir John A'^an- bi'ugli, Avas not purcliased by General Wolfe, but by Lord Tyrawley, who afterwards sold it to Charles Brett, Esq. A neighhouring struc- ture of Sir John's is said to have been modelled after the Bastille. Leigh Hunt says that A^anbrugh Avas the son of a Dutchman by a French niotlier. lie died in 172(5. Lady A'^anbrugh survived liii.i fifty years. t>yi\ 1719-50.] rEiiTii. i: DO Orkneys and Slictland thorc arc various kinds, and well eured I don t believe it will be diffieult to get what vou want, thouo-h' I have not ti,e best talents for tliose sort of tilings Li this I resemble a friend of yours most exactly. I wish there was as strong a resemblance in many other respects. I never -ivc anyt nng away that I intend fur you, but I think the hood is hardly worth your acceptance. I l)clieve my father did not get the skms I brought from Holland. I have sent to Nor- way for most elegant furs; enough for linings of all sorts My journey to London will be very short, if the Duke -ives me leave to go abroad; if not, T move but slowly, and "visit my uncle Tim and the rest. It matters litcle what season of the year I travel in, for I am absolutely as hard as flint, and can bear all the excesses of heat and cold that are known in these climates with great case. My duty, etc., J. AVOLFE. ! ^ ' , " / I:"' A' ^r i:t il 1 '■'') 15G CHAPTER viir. DUNDEE.— LONDON.— BANFF. OcToBKiJ, 1750 — Skptembeh, 1751. : 1 Ox the 1st of October the last division of Lord Biiry's jiiTived at Dundee, Avherc the regiment asscnd)led to bo clothed and quartered. The superintendence of this business, "with the preparation of the companies for de- tachments, devolved upon the Lieutenant-Colonel; for Colonels-in-chief in those days contented themselves with their ])rofits accruing from the " ofi-reckonings," " vacant pay," and other perquisites, without interfering in the more laborious details of the work.* So Wolfe had enough to do just now, yet he did not fail to keep up his correspondence with absent friends. Although the date of the letter which follows has been obliterated by * "One of llic perquisites of Colonels mentioned, arises from vacant iwy, i. c. the pay of such officers and men as lia])i)en to die or be killed, till they are eitlier respited at the musters, or tilled up; which in the late wars was pretty considerable, as King "William and the Duke of Marll)orou,ij;h seldom filled up vacancies which happened in action till the be^nnning of the next campi'ign ; but the Duke of Cumberland generally fills them up immediately, so that there are seldom any, but if there are, they go to the Colonel." The profit derived by the Colonel of a Foot regiment out of the clothing fund, or qlf-rechonbigfi, was up- wards of .£2iM> a year. (Abstract of Inc^uiry into the State of the Army. ' Cientleman's Magazine,' 174'i.) Hi UoO-.-l.] DUNDEK. — liANKl'. .)/ time, internal evidence shows that it was written at tliis ])eriod. Captain Rickson was now serving witii his regi- ment in Nova Seotia, whitlier he had sailed from l)nl)lin in June. It will be seen that Wolfe felt no little interest in the settlement of the colonv under the government of his kite superior officer, the Hon. Edward Cornwallis : — ■ |i>y tnt lea, Itlio lid but hy Dear Ricksoii, You were cmharkcd long before I tiionght you ready for your expedition, and sailed before I could imagine you on board. I intended to have 1)id you farewell, and sent my good wishes to attend you ; indeed, I Avas not without hopes of hearing from my friend before he went oft', for upon such changes he seldom forgot to make me acquainted with his de- stination. I am not entirely indift'ercnt as to what befalls you, and should have been glad to know how such an undertaking as this is agreed with your way of thinking, and whether, after a good deal of service, you would not ratlier have sat down in peace and rest ; or if your active spirit prompts you to enter- prise and pushes you on to pursuits new and uncommon, whether this [expedition], certainly great in its nature, suits your inclination. Since I cannot be clearlv informed of these matters till I hear from you, I shall content myself with entertaining some conjectures that are favourable to your interest. You arc happy in a governor, and he'll be happy to have one near him that can be so serviceable to him as you have it in your power to be. I dare say you are on good terms together, and mu- tual aid will confirm your former friendships. ITc will require froin you industry and assiduity, and, in return, you may ex- pect his confidence and trust. I look npon his situation as requiring one of his very way of thinking, before all things else; for to settle a new colony, justice, humanity, and disin- terestedness are the high requisites; the rest follows from the excellent nature of our Government, which extends itself in ■full force to its remotest dependency. \ . ' ; I I ■• 15S LIFK or WOLl-K. • •! J 1 III what a state of felicity arc our American colonics, com- pared to those of other nations, and how blessed are the Ame- ricans that arc in our neighbourhood above those that border upon tiic French and Spaniards ! A free pco[)lc cannot op- press, but despotism and bigotry find enemies anionj^ the most innocent. It is to the eternal honour of the Englisli nation that we have helped to heal the wound given by the Spaniards to mankind by their cruelty, pride, and covetousness. "Within the influence of our happy Government all nations arc in se- curity. The barrier you arc to form will, if it takes place, strengthen ourselves, protect and support our adherents ; and, as I pre- tend to have some concern for the gcnc/al good and a vast de- sire to see the propagation of freedom and truth, I am very anxious about the success of this undertaking, and do most sincerely wish that it may have a prosperous issue. I think it is vastly worth your while to ajiply yourself to business, you that are so well acquainted with it; and, without any compli- ment, I may venture to assert that Cornwallis has few more capable to do him and the public considerable service than yourself. I beg you will tell me at large the condition of your affairs, and what kind of order there is in your community ; the no- tions that prevail; the methods of administering justice; the distribution of lands, and their cultivation ; the nations that compose the colony, and whc arc the most numerous ; if under military government, how k>ng that is to continue ; and what sect in religious affairs is the most prevailing. If ever you advise upon this last subject, remember to be moderate. I suppose the Governor has some sort of council, and should be glad to know what it is composed of. The southern colonics will be concerned in this settlement, and have probably sent some able men to assist you with their advice, and with a proper plan of administration. Tell me likewise what climate you live in, and what soil you have to do with ; whether the country is mountainous and woody, or plain ; if well watered. I see by a map (now before me) that you arc between . . . . . of latitude ; in most part of Europe the air is . . . degrees, \M \H 17oO-5LJ UUNDEIi. — IJANFl'. l.VJ because wc arc slicltcrcd by the prodigious .... of Norway and Ijapl.ind from the north winds. I am afraid you are more exposed ; your great cohl continent to the north may . . . some severe effects upon you. Direct to me at your agent's . . . if you think I can serve you, or be of any use, I . . . . I will send you anything you have a mind for, when . . . directions to liave it sent, for I expect ... to go abroad for eight or ten months ; do not let the . . . jjrevent you from writing. I set out for London next .... if it is allowed ; shall be in less than forty days . . . Metz, in Lorraine, where I projmse to pass the M'inter; you "will easily guess my aim in that. I intend to ramble in the summer along the llhinc into Switzerland, and back through France and the Netherlands, and perhaps more. I hope you have a good provision of books. Rutherford has puldished his ; and there is a Frenchman has tohl me many excellent truths, in two volumes^ entitled ' L'Esprit des Lois.'* It is a piece of writing that would be of great use where you are. Will you have him ? Tell Cornwallis that I thank him for making me a Lieu- tenant-Colonel (which, by the bye, you did not take the least notice of) ; if T was to rise by his merit, as upon this occasion, I should soon be at the top of the list. He promised to write to some of us, but has not ; they are not the less ardent for his prosperity ; and the whole corps unites in one common wish for his welfare and success. Pray tell him so^ as you may do it safely. Your old corps comes back from Gibraltar next si aimer. I will correspond constantly with you in whatever part of the world we happen to be thrown, provided you do not force mc^ * " I want to know Dr. Cocclii's and youv opinion of two new Frcneli books. One is jNIoniesquieu's ' Esprit des Lois,' wliii-li I think tlio best book that ever was written, — at least I never learned lialf so mueli from all I ever read. There is as much wit as useful knowledge." (H. Walpolc to Sir H. Mann, "January 10, 1750." See also Gray to Dr. Wharton, " March 9, 1749.") The original edition was printed, anony- mously, at Geneva, in 174.8, 2 vols. 4to. It was reprinted in London, in 1749, 2 vols. 8vo, and in Edinburgh, in 1750. (Brunet, ' Manuel du Libraire.') '. *' 368, h;,| V "! 100 LIFK OF WOT.FE. M •: I If ' I , i . i. If. i I li ■lit* f hy nrglcct, to l(;avo oft' writinpf. Wc liiivo l)ut this our ua}' loft to [)i'C!scrvc the ronu'iubraiicc of cacli other as lively as I could wish, and as I hope you do. The old (icneral, your friend, preserves his health, and is . . . he lias often wished to have you aj^aiu in his regiment. Farewell ! I am, most allectionately, my dear Kiekson, Your faitlifnl friend, J. Wolfe. Soon after the foregoing was penned, Wolfe got a few months' leave of absence, but was informed by Lord Bury, that the Conniiandcr-in-chief objected to his going abroad. On receipt of the unwelcome intelligence the disappointed officer in a letter to his father, observed : — " I nuist submit, though my inclinations lead me a dif- ferent way." In the same letter, written on the 7th of October, he gives vent to his feelings in these indignant terms : — " How nuicli does the Duke mistake my senti- ments, or how greatly does he oppose the only method that can be fallen upon to preserve any knowledge of military affairs in the army, I sha'n't say to introduce it, for infinite pains have been taken to make us accpiainted with some particular branches, which, yet, do not amount to all that may be required from an officer. I believe you would be very glad to see your son from amongst the ignorant, and wish to have a representative something worthy of yourself; from which I conclude, that your concern at this disappointment will not be less than mine." His regimental business completed, the Lieutenant-Co- lonel at last started for Edinburgh, whence he set out on the 4th of November, for York, where he arrived on the morning of the 6th ; a rapid journey in those days. After lyour Itlian Ico- t oil the Jtcr 1750-r.l.] rTTNDEK— BANFF. 101 ' visiting his relations, tlic Tlionipsons and Sothcrons, at Sotcrington, Ponifrct, and Tcrryliridgo, ho proceeded on his way homewards, and on the 14th reached London; but too late to have the pleasure of walking with his father upon the dry gravel of the Greenwich garden and gathering the fruit, for the old General and Mrs. Wolfe had already removed for the winter to their house in Old Burlington Street. Wolfe was warned by the delicacy of his constitution that his life naturally could not be a very long one. lie seems also to have had a foreshadowing of the future in a presentiment that ere long he was destined to accom- plish some great work ; hence his anxiety to prepare himself for his country's call. A winter idly spent in London ill accorded with his ideas, anxious as he was to turn every moment to profitable account. Yet it was not in liis nature to submit tamely to restraint, and, crossed in love, as well as thwarted in his designs, he gave himself up for the moment to pleasures which af- forded him no permanent delight; for habitually he / neither drank, gambled, swore, nor scoffed at religion and morahty, as was then the vogue in the best society. It was, emphatically, a frivolous, sensual age, — per- haps at the core quite as immoral as that of Charles IL ; an age with all the depravity, but without the fictitious lustre of the Merrie Monarch's. Gambling assumed a variety of forms, but in polite society cards were the only panacea for enmd ; cards, it was said, were better than scandal, as if no other alternative were possible.* Con- sequently, young ladies were not qualified to " come out '* * Mrs. Trench. ' Leadbeater Papers.' M ' ' i I i.f| 10 o J, I IE ui" woi.i'i;. ti i ' 1 '■ H^'i ,, .,,, f; '■ until tlicy liud hccii duly iii^tructcd in wliist l)y rrofcssor Jloylc, wliosc uiodcratu fee was ouc ^iiiuca a lesson. Iau-'^v, fortunes were "flirted away," as W'alpole says, in a single niglit at, liazard. " ^\'hat a curse to nations," writes Mrs. Di'laiiy to lier sister, "is such a pit of de- struction as AA'liite's. It is a sad thing that in a Chris- tian coinitry it should continue undeniolished." liut tiie goc ' lady may not liave known that there were at the same time in the metroi)olis scores of much viler di-ns, to suj)press which taxed all the energies of Mr, Justice rieldmg. The vice was not confined to the higluT rpnks, but prevailed amongst all alik(>; "for while luxury [)ro- duces want, idleness forhids honest labour to supply it.""* Therefore Hogarth painted his "Idle Ai)prentice" gam- bling on a t()nd)stone, as well as lords and ladies at play in gilded saloons. Betting was another fashionable form of the pervading passion. One noble lord, to win a wager, spits into another noble lord's hat; but never })erhaj)s in the annals of folly, was anything more absurd rehited than the race between geese and turkeys, ui)on whose relative speed a Marcpiis ,.nd an Karl staked £500. f Drinkhig may not have been carried to such gross excess by well-bred gentlemen as by country s(piires ; but amongst the lower classes in London, intemj)erance must have been general,, from the incredible mnnber of private gin-shops within the Bills of Mortality, in Feb- ruary, 1751.1 The frightful condition of society may be * Fiokling's charge to tlie Grand Jury of the Middlesex Sessions, June, irii). t j\Lrs. Delany's Auto])iogra])liy and Walpole's Letters, t See ' Geutk'man's Arasjazine,' vol. xxi. ) i 'I' ir.-iO-.-ii.] DUNDKi:. — BANFF. l(;;i img be kions, cxciMplificd 1)V nil extract fmiu tlu> Kind's sprrcli on tlio opening of Parlianicnt, in 17.3! : — "i cannot conclndu witliont icconinu'iuling to yon, in the most earnest man- ner, to consider serionsly of some ellectnal provisions to sn[)press tliose andacions crimes of rohhery and violiMice which are now so frecpient, especially ahout this great caj)ital; and wliich have [)roceeded in a great mcasnrc from that profligate s[)irit of irreligion, idli'ness, gaming, and exti'avagancc, which lias of late extended itself in an uncommon degree to the dishononr of the nation, and to the great offence and pr( jndice of tlie sober and indnstrions ])art of my people." A better exan\ple fiom Majesty itself would have produced more good than all the power of the legislature. The criminal law of JMiglaiul was, for- sooth, already sufficiently stringent ; for althongh Wolfe compares its leniency with the severity of other nations, on the last day of the year 1750 fifteen malefactors were ex- ecuted at Tyl)uru, and a few days later about as many more, three of wliom were boys, The rednction of the army at the end of the late war had soniethiug to do with the amount of crime amongst the poor at this ])eriod ; but the patterns of profligacy and idleness set by the majority of the wealthy and high-boi'u, were still more pernicious. Alluding to the latter, no mean observer of his times remarked : — " So inuuoderatc are the desires of many, so hungry is the appetite for pleasure, that they may be said to have a fiuy after it; and diversion is no longer the recreation or amusement, but the whole busi- ness of their lives."* To return to our hero. The report which his mother * Fii'ldiug, as above. M 2 * 1G4 LIFE OF WOLFE. •: i ; 1 .> '.'■ I I. I'll ( had repeated to lihn, that jNIiss Lawson was about to be married to a rival, was unfounded ; but whether Wolfe renewed his suit personally while in town, there exists no evidence to show. The General and Mrs. Wolfe were strongly averse to the connection, and besides the inade- quacy — as they considered — of the lady's fortune, it would seem that they had some other objection. ]\lrs, AVolfe, indeed, tried every means to dissuade her son from his " senseless passion," and appears to have insi- nuated a blemish upon the fair fame of his charmer's mother, for in one of his letters after his return to Scot- land, the lover writes : — " Old Lady Lawson, if she had stumbled in her vouth, — as Charles Brett has been told, — I would join with Falstaff and say there was no virtue extant." It will be remembered that there had been another young lady in the case, whose hand and fortune Mrs. Wolfe wished her son to obtain, — Miss Hoskins, of Croydon ; but the mother's project was frustrated by the marriage of that lady to John Warde, Esq., of Squerries, in February, 175L The dissipations of London life wrought their wonted effects upon Wolfe's delicate frame ; for during the latter part of his visit he was confined by a serious illness. He was still weak in bodily health and much chagrined in mind, when he returned to Scotland in April, 175L The head- quarters of the regiment were then at Banff, 165 miles north-east of Edinburgh. His letters home are for some time filled chiefly with apologies for his past misconduct, impatience of temper, and restlessness of disposition, with forcible assurances of sincere contri- tion. In one, written early in June, he says : — 1750-51.] DUNDKE. — BANFF. 1G5 ted ter He in 151. |uff, me his ess tri- Thc Avarm expressions that fell from me, upon the Duke's refusing to let me go abrond, savoured much of ingratitude, and the words, it must be confessed, were arrogant and vain. Passion and disappointment produced them. Certainly his Royal Highness could not have so truly convinced me of his kindness as by consenting to a reasonable and salutary re- quest; for if eternal imprisonment and exile arc to follow preferment, few will be thankful for the favour. . . . My mother might safely have ventured to send me her blessing, though she shoukl build it upon the strength of a return from me. I do sometimes leave out of mv letters what I least intended, and when T omit expressing my aflcction for either of you, there remains little else that is valuable. Few places were worse calculated than Banff to " pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow." Exposed to the storms of the North Sea, it was one of the coldest and dreariest spots in Great Britain, without society or com- merce, and approacliable only by a ford across the wide river.* In tliis cheerless situation, Wolfe reverted to the consolations afforded by his books and correspon- dence. His letters consequently are unusually long, frequently covering three or four sheets of paper. Not the least interesting of them is the following to Captain Rickson : — Banff, Otii June, 1751. My dear Friend, I am prepared to assist you in your apology whenever you think it requisite ; but I desire you will never assign that as a reason for not writing, which, in ray opinion, should prompt yua for it. Attachments between men of certain cha- racters do generally arise from something alike in their natures, and should never fall from a certain degree of firmness, that * There was no bridge over the Devcron before 1772, when a fine one was built by Smeaton, near the town of Banff. (Smilcs's ' Lives of the Engineers,' vol. ii. p. (il.) 'I •< ' i^ !; ' i ICG LIFE OF WOI.FE. .;! ' makes tlicm the same all the world over, and incapable of any diminution. I have, as you justly acknowledge, a perseve- rance in fiiendship, that time, nor distance, nor circumstances, can defeat — nay, even neglect can hardly connuer it; and you arc just as warm and as near me, iu North America, as you would be upon the spot. I writ to you lately from London, a'.d sent my letter by one that I recommended for your countenance.^ I hope what has befallen him will be a shield against accidents of that sort for the future. When I writ that letter, your poor friend was in the utmost distress, otherwise you should have had more of me. It is not an hour since I received your letter. I shall answer all the parts of it as they stand in their order ; and you sec I lose no time, because in a remote and solitary part of the globe. I often experience the infinite satisfaction there is in the only one way that is oi)en to communicate our thoughts, and express that truly unalterable serenity of aft'ection that is found among friends, and nowhere else. I conceive it no less com- fortable to you. I believe that no man can have a sincerer regard for you than myself, nor can any man wish to serve and assist you with more ardoi"', and the disappointment you speak of afl^ccts me greatlv, and the more, as I have been told that you lived with Cornwallis, and, consequently, had some employment near him that must be creditable and profitable, Avliich I imagined you filled with all the integrity, diligence, and skill that I know you possessed of. I cannot otherwise account for the preference given to jNIr. Cotterell, than that there has been an early promise, or some prevailing re- commendations from England that Cornwallis could not resist. However, if I was governor, methinks I should choose about my person some experience and military ability, as requisite in the affairs of a new colony, situated as yours is, as any branch of knowledge whatever. * A short letter, written by Wolfe from "Old Burlington Street, Mai'cli 11), 1751," was carried to Rickson by Lieutenant Porter, whom " want of precaution, and not want of honesty," obliged to leave tho regiment. hSi \ ' . ( 1750-51.] DUNDKK. — BANFF. 107 )rae blc, ICC, Iv'ise an re- ist. out Isite »y [cct, liom tko This flisnppointracnt is followed by ;i resolution in you tliut T approve of greatly, because it will release you from a life tliat cannot but be disagreeable, and place you wliere you w ill be well received. But I take it to be a tbiug mueli easier conceived than effected ; for though I graut that is a Ijcast, and fit only to hunt the wildest of all wild Indians, yet his consent to the change, I doubt, would be very diiHcult to obtain, though cvervthing else went suioothlv on, and vou know without it the matter rests. You have done well to write to my father. He is extremely disposed to do you any good office, and I shall take care to put him in mind, and excite him bv all the motives that Avill toucli him nearest, to assist vou. 1 thank you for partaking with mc in the satisfaction of a promotion. You found your expectations, from my future fortune, upon the best grounds — my love and thorough sense of your worth; but I would not wish you should wait for my power. I should blush to see myself in the capacity. Take my inclinations and good wishes in the meantime, and believe that whatever falls to my share you will have a demand upon. If you look round and see my powerful rivals and competitors, examine who and what they are; we must both think that a little moderation in our views is very becoming, and very con- sistent with my situation. I believe you are of opinion with mc, that a great deal of good fortune has fallen to my share already. Y'^ou have given me a very satisfactory account of the settle- ment, as far as you have observed or have had an opportunity to inquire. Till your .otter came I understood that w ^re lords and proprietors of the north coast of Fundy Bay, for there's a vast tract of country between that and the river St. Lawrence. It appears to me that Acadia is near an island, and the spot where you are, a very narrow space between the Gulf and Bay. If so, I conclude your post will be greatly improved ; and instead of the shallow works that you describe, something substantial will be erected, capable of containing a large garrison, with inhabitants trained to arras, in expecta- tion of future wars with France, when I foresee great attempts '. ' , ■■ J if \ ^\{ I , 108 ]JFE OF WOLFE. ■•'' , ,1' r I ri.f to be made in your neighbourhood. "When I say thus, I mean in North America. I hope it is true what is mentioned in the newspapers, that a strong naval armament is preparing for your assistance. I wish they would increase your regi- ment with drafts from the troops hero. I could send you some very good little soldiers. If our proposal is a good one, I will shorten the work and lessen the expense. The present schemes of economy are destructive to great undertakings, narrow in the views and ruinous in the consequence. I was in the House of Commons this winter, when great sums of money were proposed for you, and granted readily enough, but nothing said of any increase of troops. j\Ir. Pel- ham spoke very faintly upon the subject ; wished gentlemen would well weigh the importance of these undertakings before they offered them for public approbation, and seemed to inti- mate that it might probably produce a quarrel with our ever- lasting and irreconcilable adversary. This I took to be a bad prognostic ; a minister cool in so great an affair, it is enough to freeze up the whole ! but perhaps there might be a con- cealed manoeuvre under these appearances, as, in case of acci- dents, " I am not to blame," " I was forced to carry it on," and so forth ; in the meantime I hope they are vigorous in supporting our claims. The country is in all shapes better than we imagined it, and the climate less severe; the extent of our territory, perhaps, won't take a vast deal of time to clear ; the woods you speak of are, I suppose, to the west of Sheganecto, and within the limits that the French ascribe for themselves and usurp. Yours is now the dirtiest as well as the most insignificant and unpleasant branch of military operations; no room for courage and skill to exert itself, no hope of ending it by a decisive blow, and a perpetual danger of assassination ; these circumstances discourage the firmest minds. Brave men, when they see the least room for conquest, think it easy, and generally make it so ; but they grow impatient with perpetual disadvantages. I should imagine that two or three indepen- dent Highland companies might be of use; they are hardy, intrepid, accustomed to a rough country, and no great mis- 17:^0-51.] DUxNDEE. — BANFF. 1G9 of for y a ese en, md ual en- (ly, lis- cliicf if they full. How can you better employ a secret enemy than by making his end conducive to the common good? If this sentiment should take wind, what an execrable and bloody being should I be considered here in the midst of Popery and Jacobitism ! I don't understand what is meant by the wooden forts at Halifax. I have a poor conceit of wooden fortifications, and would wish to have them changed for ramparts of earth, the rest in time; it is probable that the great attention that must be given at first to building the habitations lud clearing the ground about the town, left no interval for other work ; but I hope to hear in your next letter, that our principal city (Halifax) is considerably improved in strength. You gentle- men, too, with your parapet three or four feet thick, that a heavy shower would dissolve, you ought to increase it, and put yourselves into a state of security. You appear to be the barrier and bulwark of our settlements on the land, and should be lodged in a sufficient fortress, and with an eye to enterprise. I understand by your account that the post you occupy is at a very small distance from the end of the bay; and should be glad to know how far that is from the nearest part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, or from what in the map ap- pears to be a lake, or harbour communicating with that gulf. I rejoice much that you commanded that detachment with which your Lieutenant-Colonel marched ; the Indians might have had courage, in that case you would have overcome them in battle under the eye of your chief; as it was, he saw you well disposed to fight. Perhaps I am talking at random, but it is conformable to the idea I have of this Colonel Lawrence,^ whose name we often see in the papers. I suppose him to be amongst the first officers of the expedition, high-minded him- self, and a judge of it in others ; his ready march to the enemy marks the first, and his being the head of your undertaking gives one an opinion of his judgment. If 'tis to his advan- tage, I desire you to let me have his character at full length ; * Afterwards Brigadier-General Lawrence, with whom Wolfe served before Louisbiirg, ', '< r 5 -iK 170 LIFE OF WOLFE. '.f • t 'i\ i , . i; r f j. I' I- " ■ 1,1, perl ^ s tlicrc's a strong mixture, as it generally happens in ar- dent men : in tliat case let's have the best fullv, and the other slightly touched. I am sorry that you are not so linked in ^vith some of your brethren as to form an intimacy and confidence; without it the world is a solitude, and what must your part of it be ? I pity you very heartily, for I am sure you are very ready to mingle with a good disposition. 'Tis doubly a misfortune to be banished without the relief of books, or possibility of read- ing; the only amends that can be made to us that are seques- tered in the lonely and melancholy spots, is that we can fill up our time with study. When I am in. Scotland I look uj)on myself as an exile : Avith respect to the inhabitants I am so, for I dislike 'em much ; 'tis then I pick up my best store, and try to help an indifferent education, and slow faculties ; and I can say that I have really acquired more knowledge that Avay, than in all my former life. I would by all means ha\e you get home before the next winter, but I don't approve in the least of the resolution you seem to have taken rather than continue in that service. Do everything in your power to change, but don't leave the army, as you must when you go upon half-pay. If there is any female in the case, any reasonable scheme for marriage, I have nothing to say ; that knocks down all arguments ; they have other sorts of passions to sujjport them. In reality, the most I can offer (were you unbiassed) would not amount to weighty matter, for I see no early appearance whereon to mould a bait for your ambition ; yet I cannot consent to your leaving us entircl}', in the hopes of fairer days. If I did not love you personally, and wish your happiness very heartily, I should advise you to stay where you are, and would say you ought to be kept there ; and give, as a reason for saying so, that I do think the infancy of a colony has need of able hands, civil and military, to sustain it, and I should be for sacrificing you and all the men of worth to the general good. You speak of a ]\Ir. Brewse, the engineer;* pray say a word or two of his * Probably the same Major Brewse of the Engineers whom Dr. Uik 1750-51.] DUNDF.i:. — BANFF. 171 capiicity, and tell mc if there are among you any connoisseurs in that bnsincss. Is the I^dand of St. John in the posscssioii of the French, or do we occupy it? It would be unpardonable in me if I omitted to send you intelligence of what is stirring amongst us; I mean, if I kept from you anything that comes to my knowledge; but in truth avc are here almost as much in the dark as to public transactions as can be conceived; however, I picked up some account of the Act for settling the Hegency, and as, perhaps, you have not seen it, it will be worth your perusal; it is a subject of no small importance^ [Merc follows an analysis of the statute.] Three large ships of war (guard ships) are sailed with the Scotch Fusiliers and Conway's regiments to relieve the King's and Skelton's, and they, as we hear, are to march directly into Scotland, which, by the bye, is a little out of the way, to carry them from the hottest to the coldest part of the King's domi- nions ; if they come, our regiment goes to In\ erness, w here I shall remain all the winter ; if one only comes, or neither, I go to Aberdeen. Loftus and Donnellan are both in England ; the former had been dangerously ill, is a little recovered. Donnellan, too^ has been out of ordcr^ and is gone to Bristol for health. I am not sure whether I mentioned it or not in my last letter, but as it is a great grief to me, I w ill hazard the repe- tition to tell it you. I got powerful peo[)le to ask the Dnke no less than three times, for leave to go abroad, and he abso- lutely refused mc that necessary indulgence : this I consider as a very unlucky incident, and very discouraging ; moreover, I . Johnson met at Fovt George, in 1773, and who said tliat he had dined at a house in London where there were three Bruces, one of the Irish line, one of the Scottisli, and himself of the Englisli line; and that in the Heralds' ofllee, he was shown tlie name spelt in fourteen diffet'ent ways. See lioswell's Tour, first edit. p. exxxii. * Frederick, Prince of AVales, died on the 20t]i of March, 1751. He expired suddenly, in the arms of Desnoj^ers, the celebrated dancing- master, who was near his bedside, engaged in playing on the violin for his amusement. (Wade's 'British Chronology.') t ii . I * (- - f i 172 LIFE OF WOLFE. • .f . f 1; , ! 5 ■[ ■ I h.n\ '.\ 11' !■ he accompanied liis denial with a speech that leaves no hope, — that a Lieutenant-Colonel was an officer of too high a rank to he allowed to leave his regiment for any considerable time. This is a dreadful mistake, and if obstinately pursued, will dis- gust a number of good intentions, and preserve that prevailing ignorance of military affairs that has been so fatal to us in all our undertakings, and will be for ever so, unless other measures are pursued. We fall every day lower and lower from our real characters, and arc so totally engaged in everything that is minute and trifling, that one would almost imagine the idea of war was extinguished amongst us; they will hardly allow us to recollect the little service we have seen : that is to sav, the merit of things seem to return into their old channel, and he is the brightest in his profession that is the most imper- tinent, talks loudest, and knows least. I repeat it again to you that poor Porter left this regiment with the approbation of all his brethren, and with the rcputa^ tiou of honesty and upright behaviour. It will be a charitable thing to do him any good office. I went to London in November, and came back in the mid- dle of April. In that short time I committed more imprudent acts than in all my life before. I lived in the idlest, dissolute, abandoned manner that could be conceived, and that not out of vice, which is the most extraordinary part of it. I have escaped at length, and am once again master of my reason, and hereafter it shall rule my conduct, at least I hope so. My father has offered money for the prettiest-situated house in England, and I believe he will have it for about £3000.''^ It is a great sum to be so employed ; but as it procures him the pleasure he likes, and a fine air, it is well laid out. It looks as if he intended to sell or let his house [in Greenwich], * The house eventually purchased by llie General is situated on the west side, and within the wall of Greenwi 'li Park, near the Hanger's Lodge, then Chesterfield House. It is at the top of Groom's Hill, and faces Blackheath. He had previously occupied a house in .he town of Greenwich, passing the winter months at his house in Great Burlington Street. The latter was disposed of after the removal of the family to Blackheath. \rJ^-:yL] DUNDliE. — BANFF. 173 111 It inm It tlio tor's nd of tton to since the other is upon Black Heath ; the new bridge^ . . . his way easily to St. James's. I will write to Loftiis to send you some porter and the books. [I cannot bear to] hear you making excuses for imaginary trouble. I will . . . hogshead of claret from Ireland to Gibraltar. You cannot do me a greater pleasure than by pointing out to me a way to relieve you, though ever so incon- siderable. Write to me by the first opportunity, and believe me, dear Rickson, Ever your affectionate friend, J. W. Our Lieutenant-Colonel passed two or three weeks of July in Peterhead, six-and-thirty miles to the south-cast of Banff, and tried the mineral waters for whieh the place was fauied, but the effects they produced u})on him were injurious rather than beneficial. He was diverted, how- ever, by the company ; for writing to his mother after his return to Banff, he says : — " I am obliged to your sex for many cheerful hours. In general there were women of good understanding, some of great vivacity, and others very handsome ; so that a man could not fail to be pleased with such variety. I always think a pretty maid has all the beauties, or does not want them." lie tlien begs a jar of honey, such as he devoured in London, and adds : — "That I may not fall away with spare diet, and diminish to a very skeleton, I propose to nourish * Westminster Bridge was opened at midnight, on Saturday, Is'ovem- ber 17, 1750, "with a grand procession, preceded by trumpets, kettle- drums," etc. Tlie architect of the bridge, which cost £389,5()(J, was Charles Labeyle, a Swiss, patronized bj-^ the Earl of Pembroke. La- beyle asserted tliat three of the arches were wider than Westminster Hall, and that the bridge contained twice as many cubic feet of stone as St. Paul's Cathedral. See Walpole's 'Anecdotes of Painting,' vol. iii. S I i. » "ll. .»K> 174 MFi: 01' WOI.FK. myself witlj chocolate and milk, ami therefore desire six or eight jjomids may be sent from London. Onr w inter is begun already. I am writing now by a great fire; dreadful season, that lasts from the beginning of August to the middle of jMay." His last letter from this cold region, omitting a few j)aragra[)hs the substance of which is repeated elsewhere, is as follows. — Banff, September 17, 1751. Dear INIadam, \ ■ y p\n^\:l It would be a kind of miracle for one of my age and com- plexion to get tlirough life without stundjling. Friendly aid and counsel arc great and timely supports, and reproof is most effectual Avlicn it carries with it a concern for the person to whom it is addressed. This is the way I understand it botli from my father and you, because I am sure nothing but a base and villainous action couhl entirely remove your alfections ; and that I don't lind myself capable of. I am sometimes iu the character of a military parent, and am obliged to lay great restraint upon myself that others may profit by it, and I never fiiul my advice so well attended to, as when there goes along witl) it a mixture of care for the good and reputation of the youth that errs. You'll be apt to think that a man so subject to v eakncss as I may be supposed to be, can work very little upon the minds of others, or give them a strength and firmness that I do not possess. But a man might for a time conceal, though not conquer his infirmities, and may direct where he can't execute. The sense of duty, too, in the way of one's profession, may operate strongly in some things, though quite useless and impotent in others. hi 1 i By the description you give me of your new house, most peo- ple will be as well pleased with it as you seem to be. It is the work of your own liands, and you'll be much to blame if any- thing is wanting to make it every way convenient and to your taste. It has a thousand natural advantages that you may • I , I 17 :)()-.') I.] DUNDKE. — HANl'F. 175 improve till it l)ccoincs dcli^litfiil. All I ask is that in the little detached apartment, uliere Charles [Hrett] may lan};h at leisure, there may be a very liard bed, upon which I hope to extend my long limbs in twelve or ibiutcen months, and take a little rest from care. Old Roland lived live or six years with me, and laid the obligations of faithful service upon me. lie bore pretty well the Avarmth and micertainty of my tempi'r, though at length, tired of that and eternal wandering, he begged to be released. I can safelv say that I have known him very honest, and think he must still be so. lie has a wonderful calnmess and quiet- ness of disposition, that I sometimes thought degenerated into stupidity. I hardly ever knew him to give od'ence to any but myself, atul then perhaps I was as much to bhune as hc."^ Thus much for his valour and honesty : I think myself in his debt. I never intended to abandon him. I propose to take his son when old enough to serve me. . . . I hope to hear from you now and then ; you shall always be as short or as long as you please. Only remember that one side is very agreeable, but four sides, four times as agreeable, and so on in proportion. I am, dear Madam, etc., J. AVoLrE. S ^ * The succcedino; passage has been anticipated. See Chap. \. p. KX), ; t ; t t - ■* 11, ii'i 17(5 CHAPTER IX. IXTERNESS. OcTonicn, 1751— May, 1752. ! V i i! . I t'l : I ,1:.K .;! I if r 1 l:\h> . . :• ''^"']' ■•'; > 1 ^ ^ J 1 i t 1 -- ' ! ,'ii: In a calm at sea, when the watery plain is as still and smooth as its cloudless azure dome, it is not easy to form in one's mind a picture of the same clement when lashed into fury by a storm. Quite as difficult is it to identify the Inverness of the eighteenth century, politi- cally or otherwise, with the present flourishing capital of the Highlands. Now, when every Scot is a loyal sub- ject, when Highland forts are garrisoned by Highland regiments, and our beloved Queen retires from State cares to her Highland home, it is almost impossible to imagine how different was the state of things in the reign of George II., when English soldiers were sent into Scotland to keep a large proportion of the people in sub- jection. Therefore, as juries are directed by judges to found their verdict exclusively upon the evidence of the trial, the reader should endeavour, for the nonce, to forget the sympathy which now happily exists between north and south, and remember that in the year 1751, when Wolfe was stationed at Inverness, that town was the head-quarters of Jacobitism, and consequently that an 175 1 -:.,>,] INVKIIM.SS. 17? ofRcor of tlic Royal Ann} could scarcely rcnjaid it imdci' any other aspect tliaii ns the ccntrni point of an enemy's coiiiitry. It is only necessary to hear this fact in mind to t)ailiate some cxprc ions in \\ ull'e's letters, which otherwise might make him appear in u false lii^ht ; foi', notwithstandmg his occasional flinj;s at Scothiud, he, nund)ered more than one Scotchman amongst his trustiest friends. The Lieutenant-Colonel u'as no sooner set lied in Ins new quarters than he wrote as ibllo\v3 to his father: — InvcrncsM. October ;{rtl. 17ol. Dear Sir, The preparations and march of the regiment have taken np the time that would have heen enii)loyed in v/nting to you and to others that have a title to expect it from me. The post goes hence hut once a week, which makes my letter some- thing later than I covdd wish, as 1 have heen several days in town.* A little while serves to discover the villanous nature of the inhabitants, and brutality of the people in its neigh- bourhood. Those too who pretend the greatest attachment to the government, and who every day feed upon the public purse, seem to distinguish themselves for greater rudeness and incivility than the open and professed Jacobites. AVith these disadvantages there are many others that concern us as oiriccrs, not worth relating to you j and yet, I believe we shall find means to get through the long winter tolerably well. A gentleman came from Perth the other day ai* .old me he saw Mrs. Wilkinson very disconsolate and unhappy at the bad accommodation she meets with there. I can't wonder at it, as little, dirty, stinking lodgings must be (piite new to one that comes directly from London, and was never out of it till now. But I would advise her to prepare for worse * It was not until after the Union that a rejfnlar post was established between Inverness and the South ; and for more th • a fifty yeai's letters were carried by foot-runners once a week. (Carruthers' ' Highland M^otc- Book,' p. 121.) \ '< * ii ■ !■■■' ) ■■■"( 178 1,1 FE OF WOLFF. I I !.•■ ! 5 , I •J I- ! >,.: places than Pcrtli. By degrees I liopc she'll be inured to it, and tlien become familiar. ^Nlrs. Lafansille, who has served several campaigns, is an older and better soldier than the other, will put up with any inconveniences for the sake of doing her duty with applause, and to the satisfaction of her Lieutenant-Colonel and commanding officer, to whose plea- sure she always Avislies to contribute ; and I dare say never re- fuses her assistance to make him perfectly hap[)y. 1 had a long letter from Rickson some days ago. He gives mc no great o})inion of the settlement, from the want of a more consider- able armed force, the present being insufficient for its defence. He seems to apprehend some attempts from the French, who injure and insult us. He laments his own melancholy con- dition, and wishes it were possible to come again amongst his old friends and companions. I imagine your regiment must be in Scotland by this time. In the spring they are to take those parts in the Highlands that we have occupied this summer. I turned aside to look at the new Fort of Ardersier, or Fort George, and find a vast quantity of earth thrown up for ramparts, and the counterscarp and glacis finished."^ But I believe there's still work for six or seven years to do. "When it is finished one may venture to say (without saying much) that it will be tho most considerable fortress, and the best situated, in Great Britain. I fancy your neighbour, Mr. Skinner, the architect, thinks it a very good fortification. I dare say he finds it so. I beg my duty, etc. James Wolfe. A fortnight later the ITighland postboy carried another * Fort George, twelve miles from Inverness, is situated on tlie low sandy point of Ardersier, wliicli jn-ojeets far out into the Moray Firtli. It was eommeneed inunediately after tlie rebellion, and cost ,C1()0,()(M). "Fort George," says Anderson, "is considered a model of a fortified ])lat'e ; yet it is only secure against attacks from the sea. . . . The Tew olliccrs who are obliged to reside in it during ' the piping time of peace ' find it exceedingly dull." (Guide to the Higldands.) The barracks are capable of accommodating 3(X)0 men, and the works cover about fifteen acres. F i- 1751-.-:}.] INVERNESS. 79 or for But do. ) low 'irtli. .(KM). iliod n-w s are ft eon letter for General Wolfe, in which, after complaining of paucity of " fi diturc," his son says : — I have surveyed the field of battle of Culloden with great ex- actness, and find room for a miHtary eriticism as well as place for a little ridicule upon some famous transactions of that me- morable day. The actors shine in the world too high and bi'iglit to be eclipsed ; but it is plain they don't l)orrow much of their glory from their performance upon that occasion, how- ever they may have distinguished themselves in later events. The defects were not so visible there as in the lower agents. I dare say you don^t think I strike at the Head. One may safely pronounce that he had a very good title to the command ; there was no rival in rank nor in abilities. If you were upon the spot, perhaps you might be tempted to say that this 7'isk should not have been adventured, nor this udvanfaye neglected. You would not have left those ruflians the only possible means of conquest, nor suffer multitudes to go off unhurt with the power to destroy. One must examine the field of battle to judge of the merit of Colonel's Uich's great resistance, or, which is the same thing, the behaviour of the battalion under his command. But why this censure when the affair is so happily decided ? To exercise one's ill- nature ? No; to exercise the faculty of judging, — since I mention this to you, but not to the world. The more a soldier thinks of the false steps of those that are gone lieforc, the more likely he is to avoid them. On the other hand, the ex- amples worthiest of imitation should never be lost sight of, as they Avill be the best and truest guides in every undertaking. Besides the multitude of evils that this town contains, we have the additional mortification that the country about us affords very little relief; no hunting or shooting, — both healthy and manly diversions that I take great delight in. Instead of these, I ride about for the fresh air and motion ; but when the snow falls, we shall have little else to do but to eat and sleep. I wonder how long a man moderately inclined that way would require, in a place like this, to wear out his love for arms, aiul soften his martial spirit. I believe the passion '. '• i'l: i ''■■''i 180 LI IF. 01' WOLFE. 1 ' ^ I H 1. I I i t ^ • I I ■'- - . - 'fi.'i Mould be sonictliing diminished in less than ten years, and the gentleman be contented to be a little lower than Ciesar in the list, to get clear of the incumbrances of greatness. Loftus wrote to me, giving intimation of his arrival in Scot- land, and desiring that I would go directly to Perth to sec him : it is about a hundred miles througli the Highlands. One woidd think my friend Artliur did not know the cai'te dp jjiiys, by his invitation. Wilkinson writes me word that your clothing is come; that is, he tells rae that the present you were so kind to send is safe, and in the same ship. Ours is as yet at sea, to ray sorrow, for we want a great many men, and I can't send off the recruiting-parties till they arc clothed. I shall be broke for not completing the regiment ; they sent me a reprimand for not doing it last year, though I was all the winter in London. The reprimand was due to my neglect in general, but not at all as it was applied ; unless it could be supposed that I had any extraordinary influence over Lord Bury and acted for him, whereas it is notorious that he always acts for himself. The population of Liverness in 1751 was about five thousand, aiul in the town there were but four prinei- pal streets, which diverged from the market-cross. The houses were so variously modelled that no general de- scription would embrace their several styles, the only resemblance between one house and another being in height, which rarely exceeded a single story.* This com- mon characteristic showed the prudence of the build- ers in not exposing loftier structures to the tempestuous winds from the adjacent mountain gorges. The gable end of each house faced the street, from which it was separated by a coui't, leading alike to the shop on tiie * " Tliey call a floor a house; the whole building is called a land ; an alley is a wi/mlc ; a little coui't or turna• I 'If: H ing was tlic rubble towiiliousc, erected in 170S; and no otlier noteworthy objects remain to be mentioned except the ruins of the fort built by Oliver Cromwell, and the stone bridge across the Ness, This nncoloured sketch will i)erhaps be sufficient to convey some idea of Inver- ness as it was. Wolfe's next letter, to his mother, is an exceedingly long one, taking up, in close writing, three large sheets of paper. It contains no small portion of gossip concern- ing their friends in Greenwich and elsewhere, with fur- ther extraneous matter, which we omit. Other passages have been retained, which, though of no great moment, help to give an insight into the writer's character. Tnvcrnoss, 6ih JN^OTcmber, 1751. Dear ]\Iadam, You must not be surprised if this letter does not reach you till a long time after the date of It, for 'tis very possible that the suo'.vs will retard the march of our Highlaud post- boy, who, in the finest seasons, cannot pride himself on much expedition. The winds sometimes drive the snows with such violence that the roads are utterh^ impassable; and again, when it thaws, the rivers swell so prodigiously that there is no less danger and difficulty on that side. I have not been, from the severity of the weather, able to get on horseback for many days, and can have no manner of diversion out of my own room, unless to shoot woodcocks at the risk of rheumatism. It would be unmanly and very unbecoming a soldier to com- plain of little evils, such as bad food, bad lodging, bad fire. AVhoever finds these inconveniences too hard to put up with will never be a match for a multitude of others that he is likely to meet with in his travel through life, especially if he has taken the trade of war. AYitli these sort of reflections I reconcile myself to Inverness, and to other melancholy spots that we are thrown upon, and find (all things considered and Uli) 17ol-.)2.] INVERNESS. 183 thoroughly examined) there is in reality, to a coutcuted mind, very little difference lietsveen one place and another, and that if a man possesses a certain degree of firmness and serenity, he is equal to almost every calamity. Besides, in aid of this disposition, I like a military life, and endeavour to make my actions correspond in some measure with that liking. Not that you are to understand your son captivateil with tiie glare and hlazc of our employment. No, there is an object much beyond it that attracts my eye; and it is uith some concern that I see those that direct us often miss the proper nuirk, and set us, their servants, upon wrong pursuits. This is not, I be- lieve, from ill intention, but from other causes. I expect you'll think this sort of discourse a little unnatural, and per- haps may think it discourse only ; but you may jmlge by my former letters and my general manner of acting that 1 oftenest speak as I am, and that it would not be in this style if I did not sleep sound. The death of the Stadtholder, and the Prin- cess of Orange's ill state of health, I suppose alarm people a little."^ Two minorities, perhaps, together may give the com- mon enemy some advantage over us. I hope the Duke will do his part steadily and with honour. He has a great task, and I dare say will perform it as becomes a prince. If I were to advise, as you now live altogether in the country, you should call some that you like to dine and sup with you often ; and above all things, claret for the General. He is never better than when he uses it freely, but without excess. It is vast pleasure to me that your new mansion is now put into good condition, and the garden planted. I know no- us I DOts and * AYalpolo writes to Sir H. Mann (October lltli, 1751) :— " Tlic Prinee of Oran.] INVERNESS. IS.-) indeed all her passions and art'octions give way to ambition, and tlicn, no donbt, a doctor, a dean, or a bishop have power to please."^ I have a certain turn of mind that favonrs matrimony prodi- giously, though every way else extremely averse to it at present, and you shall know it. I love children, and think them neccs- sary to us in our latter days ; they are fit objects for the mind to rest upon, and give it great entertainment w hen amusements of other kinds have lost their value. Sure, next to being an honest man and good citizen, it is meritorious to produce such cha- racters amongst men. Our endeavours hero seldom fail of success ; for young people are as capable of receiving good impressions and good sentiments as bad ones, and if their natures incline to evil, custom and education correct them. Two or three manly, courageous, upright sons are a present to the world of the highest estimation, and the father that offers them sees with satisfaction that he is to live in his successors, and that his good qualities will contribute to adorn and illus- trate manhood when he is no longer amongst them. Is not this a pleasing sort of reflection? If I don't speak much of the females, 'tis not that they arc of less concern to us, or ought to be less prized; but as the management of them be- longs chiefly to yon ladies, methinks I would not seem to in- fringe upon your prerogatives. ,'X , ^ of >llo's f, of and )]) of ox.') Dr. one Vat- Lord Bury professes fairly, and means nothing; in that he resembles his father, and a million of other showy men that arc seen in palaces and in the courts of kings. He de- sires never to see his regiment, and Avishes that no officer * Had not the above passage been written some years before tlie ])iibli('ation of the dedication to Warburton of ChurchiU's Sermons, it would look like a plagiarism. " Doctor, dean, bishop, Gloster, and my lord, If haply these high titles may accord With thy meek spirit, if the barren sound Of i)ride delights thee, U; the topmost round Of Fortune's ladder got." 1 i < '» 180 LIFE OF WOLFE. :M il,i.n- U N ! ■ J if! I I*1a; ii ; ■ would ever leave it. This is sclfisli and unjust. They have a way of trilling with us poor soldiery that gives many very honest brave men high disgust. I am sensible it is my duty to be here, and that silences me ; otherwise, the care of a regi- ment of Foot is very heavy, exceeding troublesome, and not at all the thing I delight in, though, as I told you before, the occupation in general is a good one, and hits my genius. INIy duty to my father. I wish you both much health, and am, dear Madam, Your most obedient and affectionate Son, James WoLri;. Ill a letter of the Otli of December, to INIrs. Wolfe, we light upon a paragraph describing the character of Lieu- tenant Brett, of the Royal Navy.* I learn that my good friend Charles is near his departure. His friends and neighbours will feel the want of him, for there's no more valuable person amongst men than one of his character, — active to serve and assist, honest and fair in his dealings, and incomparably merry and sweet-tempered ; equally disposed for business or society. I reckon his sister will be in great grief, for she loves hira very sincerely. If he's gone be- fore this letter gets to you, I must beg you to let it follow him with a frank, if you have one to spare, because it is double. I shall lose a good correspondent as to public affairs, and an agent and advocate to be depended on in private concerns. I * Charles Brett became one of tlie Lords Commissioners of the Ad- miralty when Lord Howe was at the head of the Board, and represented Sandwich in two parliaments. Ho married the granddaughter of Sir William Hooker, of Croom's Hill, and died, far advanced in 3■ear^•, at his house in Spring Gardens, February lOth, 1799. His brother, Captain John Brett, who was one of Anson's l-v .tenants in his voyage round the world, lost nuich tranquillitj^ as well as money, by being in- volved in a lawsuit with an itinerant quack, whom he, as a magistrate, endeavoured to prevent from deludiu^^ the unwarj\ The mountebank, however, having a diploma of some sort, obtained damages against the benevolent Captain. Another brother, Timothy, is mentioned by Wolfe on a future occasion. itil 1751- ,y^ ■] INVKUM'.SS. 187 111 owe liiiii X'l. 3.S'. for the clcvcutli poition of u loltcry-tickct* with the youMjL? hulii's, ^Mr, Swiiuh'ii, and othcrsj \v' "'•h, it" you'll 1)0 so kind to pay him or his brother, shall he renrned to you whenever 1 have the good fortune to find myself in a condition to pay my debts ; and tliat may be soon, sinee they arc not very considerable. Wolfe was as uneasy in his cold prison as Sterne's starling in its cage, and if not in words, in thought at least, he reiterated the cry, "I can't get out!" lie felt that he was losing irrecoverable time. Hut his hopes of seeing more of the world were not (luenched by previous discouragements, for on the 13th of December he tells his father : — I dropped a hint to Charles Brett some time since as if I had thoughts Oi going into Ireland. You may be sure if the thing had been serious 1 should have mentioned it to you, ■with my reasons for so doing, and should have asked your opinion and taken it as a guide. I did not imagine that it •would have been looked upon by Charles as a matter of easy execution, but only an object of the fancy to play with till some new shadowy project as light as that takes place. '. ' iii- ito, Ilk, the )lfo I did not tell you that we have an assembly of female rebels every fortnight, entirely composed of Macdonalds, Frazers, and M'Intoshes. I had the honour to dance with the daughter of a chieftain who was killed at CuUoden, the Laird of Kip- pock. f They are perfectly wild as the hills that breed them ; * Monday, Xovemher 11 , 1751. — " The drawing of the State lottery began, when, notwithstanding the united cflbrts of several societies and public-spirited men to check tlie exorbitancj- of the ticket-mongers, tlie price rose to sixteen guineas just before the drawing. It was a'so demonstrated that to have an even cliance for any prize a person must have seven tickets," etc. (' Gentleman's Magazine,' vol. xxi. p. 520.) t The Macdonalds, who churned the ])rivi]ege of taking the right of tlie line of battle, were so mortitied at being placed on the left at Cul- loden, that when ordered to attack, in spite of the urgent appeals of i* 1 I I 1 .■ 1 88 LIFE OF WOLFE. J. i ■ ^1 . n.i\ 'h'- 1' ' i ,M : ^;f ' '. 1 "' Y but they lay aside tlieir principles for the sake of sound and movement. They make no (.'onverts, which I chiefly attribute to a strong dialect of the Erse that destroys the natural soft- ness of their notes. Sooner or later there happens an interval in the life of every thonghtfiil man, when he is prompted to panse and review his past career, when he asks himself: — What have I been ? — AVhat mij^ht 1 have been ? What have I (lone ? — What should I have done ? What am I ? — What ought I to be? Who can respond to such questionings with self-approval ? St. Paul's answer, — "the saddest of all human confessions, made by one of the greatest men,"* was, " That which I do, 1 approve not ; for 'vhat I would, that I do not ; but what I hate, that I do." There was but One " the best of men That e'er wore earth about him," . . . who could reply without a qualm. In his Highland chamber, at midnight on the twenty- fifth anniversary of his birth, Wolfe thus conuiumed with his own heart. His ingenuous confession of human weakness, though never meant for strangers' eyes, surely cannot tend to degrade him in the esteem of his fellow- mortals. We may imagine his tall, attenuated figure, as, in meutal conflict, he paces the room, and then sits down, the Duke of Perth, they stood motionless, and beheld then* elansnian of Kip])Ock struck down whilst exclaiming, " My God ! have the chil- dren of my tribe forsaken mcP" The chieftains of Kippock were dis- tinguished for tlieir bravery, and their followers were amongst the hardiest of ihe mountaineers. One of the Lairds of Kippock is said to have outshone an English owner of silver candlesticks by producing several Highlanders bearing pine torches, — an incident which Sir Waller Scott adapted to his ' Legend of Montrose.' * ' Friends in Council.' \7:A-:r2.] INVKRNKSS. 1-0 with his writing-case sj)rcn(l before liini, to pen the rcflee- tioiis contained in the following letter to his mother ; — Invcriu'ss. 22n(l-2.')t K Di-cciiihcr (o. s.), 1751. |2n(l-5tli.limuary, 1752, n. s.J Dear Miulani, The wiutcH" wears away, so do our years, and so docs life itself; and it matters littli' where a man passes liis days and what station he fills, or whether ho he great or considcrabh; ; but it imports him something to look to his manner of life. This day am I fivc-and-twcnty years of age, and all that time is as nothing. \Vhen I am fil'ty (if it so happens) and look back, it will be the same ; and so on to the last iiour.* But it is worth a moment's consideration that one may be called away on a sudden, unguarded and unprepared ; and the oftcner these thoughts are entertained, the less will be the dread or fear of death. You will judge by this sort of discourse that it is the dead of night, when all is quiet and at rest, and one of those intervals wherein men think of what they really are, and what they really should be ; how much is expected, and how little performed. Our short duration here, and the doubts of hereafter, should awe and d(!ter the most flagitious, if they reflected on them. The little time taken in for meditation is the best employed in all their lives ; for if the uncertainty of our state and being is then brought before us, and that com- pared with our course of conduct, who is there that won't im- mediately discover the inconsistency of all his behaviour and the vanity of all his pursuits? And yet, we are so mixed and compounded that though I think seriously this ranivite, and lie down with good intentions, it is likely I may rise with my old nature, or perhaps with the addition of some new imper- tinence, and be the same wandering lump of idle errors that I have ever beent * " AK ! what shall I be at fifty, Should nature keep me alive. If I find the world so bitter When I am but twenty-five?"— 'Maud.' t *' God gives me jrood resolves sometimes, and I lead a better life ; they last for a time or so, sometimes more and somctim*^" ^css, and ' t '< ' '1^ ^1 1 1: ,».iili 100 i.irr, or wom'k. I' / t X You cortaiiily advise; uw well. You liavo pointed oiit tlu; only one way wlicri* 'here can he no diNaiipointincnt, and coni- I'ort that will never Tail us, — earryin}^ nu-n t^teadily and cheer- fully in their journey, and a place of rest at the end. No- hody can be more persuaded of it than 1 am ; but situation, example, the current of thiu;;s, and our natural weakness draw me away with the herd, and only leave me just stren<;th enough to resist the worst dej^ree of our ini(iuities. There arc times when men fret at trifles, aiul (puii'rel with their tooHipicks. In one of these ill habits I exclaim against the; [jrcsent con- dition, and thiidv it is the; worst of all j but coolly and temi)e- ratcly it is plainly the best. Where there is most (Muploy- ment and least vice, there one should wish to be, There is a meanness and a baseness not to endure with patience the little inconveniences we arc subject to ; and to know no happiness but in one spot, and that in case, in luxury, in idleness, seems to deserve our contempt. There are young men amongst us that have great revenues and high military stations, that re- pine at three mouths' service with their regiments if they go fifty miles from home. Soup and veiiaison and turtle arc their supreme delight and joy, — an cd'emiuate race of cox- combs, the future leaders of our armies, defenders and pro- tectors of our great and free nation ! You bid me avoid Fort William, because you believe it still worse than this place.* That will not be my reason for wish- ing to avoid it ; but tlie change of conversation, the fear of becoming a mere ruffian, and of imbibing the tyrainiical prin- ciples of an absolute connnander, or giving way insensibly to the temptations of power, till I become proud, insolent, and intolerable ; — these considerations will make me wish to leave I i :'.'' ;( • then, through tlio fickloness of my temper and too great confidence in myself, I fall into \wy old courses — a}^ often far worse." (Edmund Burke (1744). 'Lcadbeater Pa|,?rq,' vol. ii. p. 32.) * Fort William, at the foot of Ben \evis, in Lochaber, Inverness- shire, 80 named after King William 111., ta > hose reign it was built, stands on the site of a larger fort erected by General Monk. It is an irregular work, defended by fosse, glacis, and ravelins ; and in 1745 successfully stood a siege of five weeks. The adjacent town of Mary- :') t:'' \1 :>]-:>>. IXVI'.UNKSS. l!)l tlic rc^riiiiriit hcforo tlic noxt winter, nnd iilwnyR (if it could l)o so) alter ci;iht niontlin' duty; that l)y lVc(|U('Mliiiad yon into an opinion of our reformation. Charles has bought me a French translation of Thueydidcs, and has not been paid. I wish yon would desire my lather to lay down the money for me till wc meet. It is a most incomparable book. I wish 1 may get C,'2(), to pay these little incumbrances ; anything more ^VQuld be unrea- sonable to expect. It is said that Lafausillc is preparing to publish a new treatise of Discipline and Reflections upon the Government of Armies. I hope Loftus will add his Notes and Remarks, for the amusement of the public and great diversion of all his acquaintance. There is already so much nonsense upon this subject, and it is in itself so barren and dry (in the manner it is commonly treated), that I wonder at any attempt of the kind. Lord ^Molcsworth and General Kane — two very accu- rate writers — have expressed their thoughts in a very pretty, concise discourse, to the great advantage and improvement of those persons for whom they were intended.* These are the burgh, intended as a snttlery to the garrison, was built of Avood and turf, so that it miifht 1)0 casil}' destroyed wlien there Avas danger of its heeoniing a lodgment for an enemy. One faec of the fort is bor- dered by a navigable arm of the sea, and on the land side there arc- rapid streams. Owing to the great height of the neighbouring moun- tains there is almost perpetual rain. (Hieliardson's ' De Foe's Tour,' Chambers's Gazetteer, etc.) * liobert, Viscount Mok^sworth, translated 'Franco Gallia; or, an '. ■' ! ' .'I. 192 I.TFK OF WOLFF.. i ri patterns for my l)rotlicr licutcnant-coloncl to imitate. Per- haps you'll imagine that this is all ill-nature in me, anil tliat I envy him the reputation Avhieh must follow his labours. Upon my word, I do not ; but T could wish that he could be contented with his share of fame. To speak fairly, I don't l)elicve what I have heard, from my opinion of my friend's moderation.* Mrs. Inwood's great vivacity and great good-nature make her an excellent winter companion. She is very wtU in all seasons, but particularly in cold weather ; her lively discourse in December makes some amends for her inactivity in ]May. One thing grieves me, that you must necessarily keep house while she stays ; for I think T have heard you say that her wind won't last her a hundred yards, and that her action soon fails. If you will do me the favour to present my compli- ments to her^ and assure her that I do not rowll about the room now, nor am I. in that desperate condition that she has seen, and known, and laughed at ! I was shamefully beat at chess by a Scotch laird about five months ago; this has put me out of conceit of m}' own play. T must again become a scholar under INIrs. Inwood, to make me attentive to the game and teach rae to think. f I beg my duty to ray father, and am, Dear Madam, etc., James Wolfe. I! u h\-l \ : Hi i Account of the Free State of Ancient France, originally written in Latin by the famous civilian Francis Hotonian.' Brigadier-General Richard Kane, Governor of Minorca, was the autlior of ' Campaigns of King William and the Duke of Marlborough,' and of ' A xsew System of Military Discipline.' * Whether Wolfe himself ever published a similar work is ques- tionable, notwithstanding the fact that one, entitled 'Wolfe's Instruc- tions to Young Ollicers ' (12mo, 2.v. CuL), was advertised in a catalogue of military books printed for T. and J. Egcrton, Whitehall, 1781. t Mrs. Inwood was Annabella, second daughter of the Hon. and Eev. Henry Brydges, D.D., Archdeacon of Rochester, and brother to the first Duke of Chandos. She married Thomas Inwood, Esq., of Stanmore, Middlesex, and died at Chelsea, January 20, 1781. (Collins, ed. 1812, vol. vi. p. 728; and obit., 'Gentleman's Mag.') 17')l-52.] INVERNESS. 193 The reader will have observed that the foregoing letter was not completed at one sitting ; and it requires little discrimination to perceive where the " night thoughts " end. The sarcasm and humour of the latter part are, in their way, quite as characteristic as the gravity of the opening. In the message to Mrs. Inwood the writer un- wittingly reveals his habitual restlessness within-doors ; and the desperate condition which the lady had laughed at exhibits him while suffering under the vexations of arbitrary restraint and the pangs of unrequited love. AVherever Wolfe was stationed he availed himself of whatever facility the place afforded towards the prosecu- tion of his favourite studies. There being a mathema- tician of local celebrity in Inverness, it appears the Lieu- tenant-Colonel profited by his instructions ; and it may be hoped that Mr. Barber* survived to boast of having been the tutor of the conqueror of Quebec. Although he is not named in his pupil's next letter, it is probable that he would have disapproved of the jocular manner in which the science is treated in the following, to the General : — .1 ; '■ . ' ' I ■ >' I \ 111 evul of ;ein »gue and r to .,of ius, Inverness, 12th Januarj', 1752. Dear Sir, I have read the mathematics till I am grown perfectly stupid, and have algebraically worked away the little portion of understanding that was allowed to me. They have not even left me the qualities of a coxcomb ; for I can neither laugh nor sing, nor talk an hour upon nothing. The latter of these is a sensible loss, for it excludes a gentleman from all good company, and makes him entirely unfit for the con- versation of the polite world. However, a man may make a * Chambers's ' Picture of Scotland,' vol. ii. p. 303. O A V ;l \ \ ' I- i^:'l, 191 LU'F, OF WOLFE. . ! h t t,, f, • ''■•I'l ;r I i!:! !•»! nciglibourlike appearance in this cold region witli a raodcratc competency of knowledge, and with a degree of" gravity that may snp[)ly the deficiency. And Avhocver goes to kirk (as I do) once a week, and there comports himself with more reve- rence to the priest than consideration for the natnre of the bnsincss — herein I sometimes fail — will most assuredly and deservedly obtain the reputation of great Avisdom and discre- tion. AVe arc allowed to be the most religious foot officers that have been sci..; in the North for many a day, and some words arc thrown away every Sunday in prayers for our amendment and exemplary life and conversation. See the variety and constant change of things : in most of our quar- ters we have been looked upon no better than as the sons of darkness, and given up unto Satan; here we arc white as the snow that covers all the hills about, — not from want of temp- tation to sin, you may believe, but from sudden conversion and power to resist. My uncle AYat has given over corresponding with me, — at least, I imagine so. I believe we don't agree in our system of military affairs, and therefore he drops me, as an innovator in discipline. I hear he is very well. jNTr. Fisher^" is empowered to do prodigious things with my prize in the lottery ; amongst the rest, he will pay for my French Thucydides — our historian — I speak as a soldier. I am thinking Avhat a noble balance there will be on my side Avheu our accounts arc settled ! I beg my duty to my mother, and am. Dear Sir, etc., Jam. Wolfe. The next post carries a communication to Mrs. Wolfe from her son, who complains that an "easy stupidity" has crept over him, wdiich, however, " acts the part of reason in keeping the vessel steady," and is preferable to a violent chase after nothing. * jVIr. FisluT was tlic riciu^ral's njront. g' t ■\. (T' ■', r U.)l-o~'.] INVERNESS. 105 mgst '^olfe rt of [•able lie has received a !( tcr from " little Rickson," who languishes and pines for his native land, though the alTairs of the province have inijjroved, and who never forgets to inquire after her and the General, lie hopes she gives parties, to enliven the winter evenings ; and adds, — " Mrs. Wihuot is one of the oldest of my old friends ; I love to hear \wy name mentioned. Is she as merry as ever? Does she still laugh her life away? I hope her good humour will never forsake her." With suchlike familiar pen-chat ho fills four ample pages, never touching upon gci! 'al matters except in a pa..s- ing remark that his naval friend, Charles IJrett, has told him there are thirty sail in Plymouth Harbour. From a letter to the General on the 1st of February, it appears that Sir John Mordaunt had unsuccessfully apphed to Lord George Sackville, on Wolfe's behalf, for an appointment as aide-de-camp ; whereupon the Lieute- nant-Colonel observes : — It is, no doubt, a ready road to recommendation and pre- ferment, if a man acquits himself as he ought ; but to speak truly, I am by no means calculated for an office of that kind, upon several accounts, and therefore don't grieve much at the refusal, though not the less obliged to Sir John for pro- posing it. While I do serve I do not wish to be out of my character, nor receive my pay in idleness. The snow begins to melt, so that the roads and rivers will be for a while impassable. There arc some rapid rivers in this country that have neither bridge nor boat, upon the highway from Inverness to Edinburgh, so that when a quantity of water falls from the mountains, the post and passengers are retarded till it runs off. We had no otlier way of distin- guishing Christmas than that we found it, as it couuuonly O 2 S ' • * !:''• ;' ;llj!'^ 190 LIFE ,.5' ' ^t: . is, the coldest time of the year, and made a hnrgcr fire than usual, and ate exceeding bad inince-pics that our suttlcr, who is a very religious woman, begged we might taste. . . . The sjjring, that gives a new face to the whole creation, will en- liven us all." Out of another of those gossi[)ing letters to Mrs. Wolfe one or two illustrative grains may be gleaned. Mr. Swinden has reminded him of standing for a boy ; and the little godson is reconuuended to the maternal care.* The lottery prize, of which Fisher informed him, will not recompense him for a horse lie has lost throngh the negligence of a groom. And Major Loftus, who, it seems, would dress the General's regiment according to his own taste, is designated as an " old-fashioned cox- comb, — a tawdry kind of beau, who thinks there can't be too much finery." Concerning the oft-recurring sub- ject of matrimony, he says : — " I should hardly engage in an affair of that nature purely for money ; nor do T believe that any infatuation will ever be strong enough to persuade me that people can live without it. Unless there be violence done to my inclinations by the power of some gentle nympli, I had much rather listen to the drum and trumpet than to any softer music Avhatever." Pinallv, — but what a fall from martial sounds to well ! that species of inner armour which all warriors, perhaps, if we except Falstaff's, have worn since the days of the ancient Britons, — '' My washerwoman thinks * This godi^on did not survive. Mrs. Wolfe bequeatlied £o()0 to Susannah, daughter of the Kev. S. F. Swinden; but no son of Ids is mentioned in her wilb Wolfe was godl'ather to many other boys, amongst wliom was the late Lord Cringletie, son of Lieut. -Colonel Miirray, and father of James Wolfe Murray, Esq., who has three sous, all of whom bear the name of " Wolfe." 1751-52.] INVERNESS. 197 jgh 2Y. )0 to lis is boys, loiicl sous, my linen will last till autiunn." The letter which conies next is better worthy of notice : — Inverness, Gtli March, 1752. Dear INIadam, Tlic greatest pleasure your letters can give me is to know that you are both in good health, and, consequently, in the enjoyment of every good that follows it. If I could be always well assured of that, I should not insist any further, but leave it to any moment of your leisure to treat of lighter matters. An empty house is a very burdensome possession, and you are happy that you have got rid of yours, if there was no other reason than that it cases your mind of an eneumbranec otherwise not easily shaken off; for as we accustom ourselves from infancy to measure our real good by the condition of our little affairs, and do often place our happiness or misery in opinion, and the comparing our situation with that of other people, we are apt to torment ourselves with crosses and accidents much more than their nature deserves. This leads one to a conelusion th;it perhaps there is a possibility of going through the business of the world without any strong connection or attachment to anything that is in it, and with a kind of indirtcrcnee as to what ha])pens. The danger of this indiH'erence is, that in time it may turn to dislike, and, unless reasonably curbed, may infiuencc our conduct, and make us fall out with ourselves, which of all quarrels is the most dangerous, and the most difficult to reconcile. But, sure, every man of common sense will discover beauty and virtue enough to keep him in good temper; and if not, he will try to possess himself of magnanimity to resist evil, and a certain portion of benevolence that shall incline him to think chari- tably of what is due to the crowd. I have lately fallen into the acquaintance (by mere chance) of two young Scotch ladies, with whose conversation 1 am infinitely delighted. They are birds of a fine feather, and very rare in this coimtry. One of them is a wife, the other a maid. The former has the strongest understanding, the other has I , I i i - r ' ;'•''!- 1!)S LIFE or WOLFE. i '■'tr: M the prettiest face ; but as I urn not disposed to become the skive of" either, the matron stands first. I mention this eir- cnmstance to clear np all donbt that might rise from tlie snb- jeet ; and I speak of tliese ladies to show that we should not des})air, and that some satisfaction may be found even where it is least expected. Lord Bury comes down in yVpril; he'll stay six weeks, and then swear tlicre's no enduring it any longer, and beg leave to return. "Wolfe, you'll stay in the Highlands; you can't, "with any face, ask to quit the regiment so dispersed ; and ■when you have clothed and sent them to their diU'erent quar- ters, towards the end of Novendjer you shall come to Lon- don, my dear friend, for three months." This will be his discourse, and I must say, '' ]My Lord, you arc very kind ! " Here are peo'^ Ic that remember to have seen my fother at Fort William. I never heard him mention that. Perhaps he has been silent because there is a circumstance attending i^ that does him honour. Of all men upon earth, 1 believe he speaks the least in his own praise, and that's the reason vhy T. never expect to sec his name in the Gazette. 1 am, etc. etc.. Jam. AVolfe. m 1 i.'i 1 ? I' i9 ' ,'i ft . • M 4: -, There is good reason to conchidc that the " matron " alluded to above was ^Irs. Forbes, wife of John, only son of the famous Lord President. It will be seen that Wolfe entertained a high regard for that lady, concern- ing Avhosc health he frequently inquires after he left Scotland. It is much more pleasing to look upon the old historic house as the scene of Mrs. Forbes's genial hospitality towards the as yet comparatively undistin- guished officer, than as the temporary abode of the young Chevalier and of his successful rival before and after the bloody battle that terminated the rebellion. that 3ni- Icft the iiial tiii- tlic and ion. 17ol~52.] INVERNESS. 191) The entertainment of Culloden 1 louse under Mi's, boibcs's rvt/'nne suited her guest uuicli bettjr than tliat of his host's unele and namesake " l^umper-John." An otlieei* who visited about the year 1730, tluis deseril)es the manner of life followed l)y the latter worthy : — " There lives in our neighbourhood, at a house or castle called CuUoden,* a gentleman whose hospitality is almost with- out bounds. It is the custom of that house at the first visit or introduction to take out your freedom by ci'ack- ing his nut (as he calls it), that is, a cocoa-shell which holds a pint, filled nitli champagne, or such other sort of licpior as you shall choose. You may guess by the introduction at the contents of the volume, i'ew go away sober at any time ; and for the greatest part of his guests, in the conchision, they can't go at all."t Wolfe's host, who had inherited the impoverished estate on the death of his father in 1747, was another sort of man. Although in his youth he exiiibited a ten- dency towards his uncle's excessive conviviality, with maturer years he acquired moderation, and displayed characteristics more worthy of the . on of Duncan Forbes. After quitting the army, in which he had served some years, Mr. John Forbes sought retirement in Suffolk, where he remained until he had paid off the debts which had been incurred by the Lord President in behalf of the * " Tho Castle of Culloilcu was, if we may judifo of it from some old ])ic'tm'es of tlio battle of CuUodoii, Avliero it is r('i)i'esoiit(Ml in the dis- tance, a huge, tall, strong pile of bnildings, with little ornament. It was considered a fortification of considerable political inijjortauce, and being attacked b}^ the rebels (in 1715), was held out b*; Duncan until the return of liis brother with a very iniportaiit ally had the eflfect of raising the siege." — (Burton's ' Life of Duncan Forbes," p. 284.) t Captain IBurt's ' Letters from the Highlands.' '. " i '■■ '■;'^^' 1 1 \M I '. 200 LIFE or \VOT,I'K. ,1 i iJ i i rru.-i-v i u. .„ f ■ . .,.,.. Government ; and eventually, as a recompense for his father's losses, he was awarded a i)altry pension of £100 a year. A glimpse of the military morals which then obtained is afibrded by AV^olfe's next letter to his father. Invovness, 20tli iMardi, 1752. Dear Sir, The meeting of the wliolc regiment and Lord Ihiry's presence will put me to the necessity of changing my manner of living, and if I don't acquire more knowledge I shall cer- tainly get more health by the change. T have already men- tioned what kind of weather and how severe a winter we have had, and mIicu I add the impossil)ility of stirring out of the town and the difficulty of finding a convcrsiblc fit companion in it, you may believe that my long confinement has perhaps been more from necessity tiian clioicc. I can't drink nor play without the fear of destroying the officers, and some of them arc already but too much inclined to that ruinous and disastrous vice. It will be the middle of INIav before we are reviewed, and near the latter end when we send out our Highland detach- ments. June is everywhere a pleasant morith, and in July we may begin to shoot. Lord Bury likes this diversion, and so do I. He'll keep me to carry his powder-horn and flints ; we shall ramble from post to post till he's tired and goes oil", and then I shall retreat into Fort William and remain there until further orders. Years roll on in this way, and arc (un- luckily for us) never to be recalled. Our friends forget us ; we grow rustic, hard-tempered and severe, and insensibly fall into a course of thought and action that is more readily ob- served than corrected. We use a very dangerous freedom and looseness of speech amongst ourselves ; this by degrees makes wickedness and debauchery less odious than it should be, if not familiar, and sets truth, religion, and virtue at a great distance. 1 hear things every day said that would shock your ears, and often say things myself that are not fit to be 1751-5l\] INVERNESS. 201 repeated, perliaps witliout any ill intention, ])nt merely by the force of custom. The best that can be offered in our de- fence is, that some of us sec the evil and wish to avoid it. I have shut my books and am every fair day on horseback. I am sorry you have c ..^rely given up that sort of exercise, because it is, beyond all dispute, the best. I hope you arc per- suaded that motion of some kind or other is necessary to your health. I take the freedom to put you in mind of it, because you seem sometimes less solicitous about it than it really de- serves. My mother sutlers when you do, so that I am doubly interested in your welfare.* I beg my duty to ray mother, and am^ etc., Jam. Wolfe. be A few extracts will suffice to represent ii letter to Mrs. Wolfe, on tlie iOth of April, when, it would appear, the Lieutenant-Colonel was very discontented. After com- plaining that his projects were controlled by the arbitrary power of his Colonel, he writes : — However I may be disposed of, you may be secure and satisfied that I shall in all things consider my condition; shall bear any ill-treatment with patience and fortitude, and must always think that he who has lost his liberty, or was never free, has nothing worth contending for. If it was left to my choice, I should run away to the Austrian camp at Luxem- bourg, or to the French army in Lorraine; for I don't think myself quite secure in England, and my course of thought leads nic to shun danger and seek improvement. The Lieutenant-Colonel you speak of (I suppose you mean Aldercron) is near the top of our list; he has been strongly * This sentence is an amplification of one wliicli Wolfe wrote upon another occasion. " I in-ay you," he says to his mother, " take care of yourself, if you would take care of me." The nuiuncr of expression in the latter instance, tliough not the sentiment itself, may have been prompted by Ovid : — " Si tibi cura mei, sit tibi cura tui." (Heroides, Epistola xiii. 100.) '. ' ( .- i.i'' t ' 202 l.IFK OF WOLFE. " .V- ' * , r :.\\ ■ -i rcconimciidcd (Vom Irehuid, witli tlic title of l()^,^• si-rvice to support tlic rccoinmLMulatiou,* My success in that way do- peiids upon events not to !)(; wished or hoped for. I can only rise in war, hy my willin^^ness to engaj^e in it. In these cooler tinu's the parliamentary interest and weight of parti- cular families annihilates all other pretensions; then lam amongst the youngest of my own rank, and have had as great favour shown me as I could modestly expect. Don't believe that I am insensible of your affectionate concern and niv father's in the matter; I know well from whence it flows, and that knowledge will help me to bear little alHictions without wavering or repining ; for 1 know no better I'cason to be con- tented than that vou wish it, and when I'm not trnlv satisfied I'll endeavour to appear so. I must send off my books and recommend them to your care ; the weight grows too con- siderable for long journeys, and a few well chosen is a great lii)rary for a soldier. H ^1 ^r f I. .. ( ;. S His loug-cxpcctcd Loi'clshi[) at length joined his regi- ment, on the 13th of April ; nnd thereby hangs a tale. On his arrival in Inverness, the nuigistrates of the town in- vited him to an entertainment on the Dnke of Cumber- land's birthday. Lord Bury graciously thanked the de- putation, and assured them that he would not fail to re- present their loyalty to his Koyal Highness; but added, that lie thought it would be still more complimentary to the Duke if they would postpone the celebration until the day following, — tbe anniversary of Culloden. The astonished officials said they could not take upon them- selves to alter the day, but would consult tlieir brethren. * Lieut. -Colonel .John AKlorcron, of (lio 7th Foot, sueccodod to the colonelcy of liichbe/f's — 3i)lli (East Middlesex), in ]\L'ircb, 1752. Early in 1751 lie enibavked for ]Madras with his regiment, — '" rrimus ill LnUs," — and was nominated Conunander-in-Ciiief in India, lie became a Licnt. -General in 17()0, and died in Jidy, 17(5(5. n:.l-:,,'.J INVKHNKSS. ;2()3 On in- (le- rc- llcd, [iitil frhc •111- •eii. tlio 752. \ Jit us lie Oil tlicir return, they told liis Lordsliip tlicy rcgrt'ttt'd his request could not l)e coinplieil with ; whereupon Lord Hury rcpHed, he was sorry they lind not <^iven a negative at once, tor he had already mentioned tlu; matter to his soldiers, and that he could not answer for their conduct under the (lisnj)pointnient, which, he teared, would pro- voke them to some outrage upon the town. The threat had the desired effect, for, under compulsion, the battle of Ciilloden was celebrated in Inverness.* Such an iin})oIitic j)rocecding bespoke as little wisdom as gene- rosity. It was a bad balm for a closing wound. Wolfe does not allude to the incident ; but writing to his father on the 23rd of April, says : — This is the first letter that I have penned since Lord Hury came here. His Lordshi]) pays my attendance upon him with fair words and promises; and he tliinks it highly reasonable that my long contincment should have an end, though he is far from being sure of the Duke's consent. I tell him the matter of fact, that when 1 feel any extraordinary restraint, and am kept longer with the regiment than is ecpiitable, I hate the sight of a soldier; have, nevertheless, too much nice- ness to neglect the service, and too much indiftcrence, as to reputation and applause, to exert myself in any high degree. Some of these young men have borrowed their notions of arms, and the people that compose them, from neighbouring nations, and seem of o[)inion that a stupid kind of obedience and conformity to their will sup])lies the want of military virtue and ability." AVolfe, as has been shown, carried his own circulating library ; otherwise, ho would have found little mental food in Liverness, for there was no 'Courier' nor other local publication so far north in those days. A stray * Walpole's Lottcrs (June ()tli. 1752), vol. ii. p. 2(SS. 'I 'I L, 1 ' '1. 20 t Lii'i", or \vor,ri;. V , \ .,'• I ^ pedlar, or travelling tailor, satisfied all demands for fo- reign intclligcMiee. An odd London or l"]dinl)in'gii news- paper may indeed oeeasioindly have reaelied the Coll'ee llonse, it" that establishment still existed in 1752; for nithongh there had been a eotl'ee-honse some twenty years belbi'i!, kept by a (jciillvHtuii merely to gratify his ovvn soeial inelinations, without any view to pecuniary profit, it is a (juestion whether the proprietor himself survived, or found a successor equally disinterested.* But our Tiientenant-Colonel has now got lid of his superfluous books and other encund)rances in anticipa- tion of his j)ropose(l journey, for, Jit last, he has not only the hope of speedy liberty, but has already partly mapped out his route. The more cheerful tone of his mind is apparent in his next letter home, — anoihev- of those filial etliisions which may seem trivial to p few stern readers, who fancy that a soldier should be iJways a soldier, and nothing more, but will be seen by others in a diflerent light. " I don't know," writes Walpole, portraying the Duke and Duchess of Hamilton, " whe- ther you will not think all these very trifling histories ; but for myself, I love anything that marks a character strongly." Inverness, IGtli May, 1752. Dear Madam, The host return I can make for your kind inquiry and care about my iicalth is to inform you, as quick as possible, that I am extremely well, much better than I have i)ccu ever since I came last to Scotland. I Avish you would always en- * According to Burt, every petry trader called himself a mcrcJuiitt ; a messenger received his commission, and brought back a report; \oA\:,- \\\g-\io\\^(y\n\U wove placards ; doovn, pan's; a few acres constituted a park ; a lau'd's wife was, Your taJi/s/np, etc. 1 : 1 1 Uol-W.] INVEIINESS. 205 tcrtain yourself with cli(Trfiil tli()u;;lits, lu'lirvo your friends as you (It'sirc tWey should he, uud put oil' y<.ur couroru till you arc couviiic'L'd of the contrary. Thouf^h 1 would not will- iiifjly l)c I'oryot, nor cvon rcMncinlx'rrd with indillrreuco, yet, rather than (li^turh yoin* peaee and leli(;ity, 1 should he content not to h(; nuieh thouirht of. Half of our misery arises from self-tormenting ima^^inations. The ai)prehensi<)n and dread of evil is the j^rcatest of our nnsfortuncs in this lile. Take away the mischiefs that the fancy suggests, and it will con- siderahlv lij^htcn our hurthen. Loril IJurv at first advised mc not to ask leave of al)seuce, hut afterwards he changed his opinion. 1 have reason to think that it will not be refuscul. My curiosity and tlu; ne- cessity of riding about will put me upon undertaking a very long iourncv. I find that a sed(nitarv life is a very dau'rcr- ous one, and therefore propose this lu'w ))lan by way of trial, aiui to refresh and amuse myself. At the end of this tour 1 shall have the pleasure of seeing my father and you, and if 1 fuul you in health 1 shall liud what I most wish for. Teeth are valuable from their great use ; the other day I broke a fine large one all to pieces. At Paris they put in artificial teeth that arc every way as serviceable as the natural ones, and perhaps they may do the same in London. 1 see no harm in repairing any loss of this kind, as we really can't cat nor speak properly without them. Don't let accidents of this kind disturb vou a moment ; there are looks for all sea- sons of our life. You may stand by any lady of your age in Christendom, and have through your whole time been u match for all the beauties your contemporaries.* "NVc have this '. ' I , land jble, )ver I en- I""' i d a * ^Irs. Wolfe, judt,nng from her portrait by Hudson, — probably about the time of her marriage, — was a very beautiful uomau. ISlie had black liair and dark brown eyes, with a clear, delicate complexion, pretty mouth, and straight, well-shaped nose. The picture represents her in a pale yellow satin dress, with pearl necklace and pearls in lier hair, and holding a rose in her right hand. Tt is strange that her son, who inherited her delicacy of constitution and some of her mental qualities, did not partake of her beauty. Yet, though every feature of their faces difl'ered, there was an evident resemblance in general expression. I- I'll r i > r ■■P "i.' ' ¥ l.^^ <■ .^"' 4 ■! • (■ 200 LIFE OF WOLFi;. n comfort, that a leg, an eye, or a tooth lost, docs not neces- sarily carry away with it any one good quality. We can be as charitable, as liberal, and as honest, wanting any of these members, as with them. There is an old General mentioned in history that had but one left of what everybody else has commonly two; and yet, with one leg, one arm, one eye, and one ear, he was, for a drunken man, the best officer of his day.* Yon cannot ])ut [)ass your time agreeably. AVhat addition of happiness could yon desire ? A pleasant house and garden, fine air, beautiful walks, plenty of good food, books, a sweet- tempered young lady to read to you and help to divert you. You have a great deal of company, you owe nobody a sixpence, and your friends and acquaintances love and esteem you. For my part, I think this a situation to be envied, and that all these fair appearances would be nothing without a conscience free from pangs and an universal benevolence to mankind. With these supports we enjoy the present hours, but arc not therefore unmindful of our natural end. You say your trees are in bloom, and you wish not to kill them with too much fruit. The remedy is very easy; pluck off the superfluity, and only leave as much as they can afford to nourisli, and that will be but very little. Let other gardens find you fruit * -Tosias. Compte do Eantzau, of tlie distinguisliod famil}' of that naino in Ilolstciii. In liis boyliood lie ontorod the Swedish ser\"ico ; but visiting Franco in the year 1035, lie was indueed by Louis XIII. to join tlie Froneh army. At the siege of Dole lie lost an eye, and at Arras, in lOlO, he was deprived of a leg, an arm, and an ear. In ](5i5 he took Gravelines, of whieli lie was named (iovernor. and in tlie same year received the baton of IMareelial de Fi-am-e. Cardinal ]Mazarin suspecting him of favouring the nndcontcuts, he was imprisoned in tlie Bastille, where he lay for eleven inontlis, and the conlhiement brought on a drojisj^ of which he died soon after liis rek'ase, on tlie dtli of Seji- tember, lOoO. Eantzau jiossessed every ([uaUty of a great genera! ; his ciiief defect was an exec -ive love of wine. A portrait of tliis redoiil)ted warrior is to lie seen in the Museum at Versailles, and a specimen of his liandwriting (UilS) may be found in Sims's ' Handbook of Auto- graphs.' (See 'IJiographie l^niverselle ;' and ' Notes and (Queries,' ;h'd series, vol. iii. p. 4()i>, and vol. iv. p. :J0.) ! • ,; ■ yr 1731-0-2.] INVERNESS. 207 this year and the next, and then your own will s?upply yon. jNIr. Skinner '"^ has brought my shirts, and they please mo much. Arc .lot tl)C ru(Hcs a small matter too long? I have Avorc my old lineu to shivers, and do really thank yon for this reasonable relief. t I sent a trunk to London with books and two pieces of Irish cloth, under the care of an old sergeant of the regiment. You may open it if you please. I beg my compliments to Miss Brydges.| ]My duty to my father, etc. Jam. WoLi'E. After a residence of nearly nine months, Wolfe left Inverness, early in IMay, not withont carrying away a kindly feeling towards many of the inhabitants. Every- tliing considered, he had found endurable quarters ; for he did not cease to remember with gratitude the care and attention he had received from his landlady, Mrs. Grant. It speaks favourably for his conduct as the commanding-officer of a regiment, and shows his policy to have been conciliatory, that the people, who were amongst the most disaffected, had, towards the end of his command, so far changed their political sentiments in favour of the House of Hanover as to propose the celebration of the Duke of Cumberland's birthday, — an advance so ungenerously and injudiciously slighted by Lord Bury's practical joke. * Mr. Sldnncr, of Grconwicli, it would appear, was tlic architect or huilder of Fort Georjn;e. t From the constant demand for coarse shirts, it is evident tliat Wolfe did not wear them all to shivers himself. It appears also that the surgeon of the regiment was never at a loss for iint. X Catherine, fourth daughter of the lion, and Hev. Henry Brj'dges, and sister to 'Sirs. Inwood. She afterwards married Lindley Simpson, Esq., of Eabworth, 2^^otts. Mrs. Wolfe bequeathed her the sum of C20(), " together with my picture of her sister, and my painted dres.s- ing-glass and boxes, in my house at Ealli." i.''- 1 ! \A 208 LIFE OF WOLFE. .|.( . I The rebellion checked the traffic of the Highland capital, small though it previously had been; for the impulse which Cromwell's soldiers had given to trade and general improvement died away after the withdrawal of the garrison, and at the period of the Union commerce was at a very low ebb. It was not until many years afterwards that any kind of grain was sown, or potatoes planted, so far north. In the year 1740 the magistrates were obliged to advertise for a saddler to come and settle in the town ; and still later there was but one {^mc/) baker in Inverness. But the measures taken by the British Government after the rebellion proved a whole- some, though rough remedy. The arbitrary power of the Highland chiefs was broken, and the general ac- knowledgment of the laws of the realm spread a feeling for justice. " With peace came liberty and order, and their attendant, public prosperity. Parliament, out of the funds of the confiscated estates, opened up the country by the formation of excellent roads, and as few towns in the kingdom were so backward as Inverness, so few have made more rapid progress."* * Carrutliers' ' Highland Note-Book,' p. 12L . ..:t 'I .201) CHAPTER X. FORT AUGUSTT^S.— DUBLiy.— BL.VCKHEATH. May — SErxEiiBEH, 1752. It was a long summer day's inarch through grandly wild scenery from Inverness to Fort Augustus. The journey, though agreeable and exhUarating for those who rode and colli' .•'.ppreciatc nature in her sternest mood, was toil- sor ' " ough to subalterns and soldiers who travelled afoot. For a distance of ten or twelve miles the road runs along the south-eastern side of Loch Ness, skirting the mountain range which here walls in the waters of the great Caledonian vale. As a highway could only have been made by cutting off so much from the base of the rocky barrier, the artificial pass, while washed on one hand by the lake, on the other is overhung by huge cliffs, which appear as if ever threatening to fall. Ere the morning mists had " gathered up their fleecy wings," those companies of Lord Bury's regiment bound for Fort Augustus were on their march by the loch-side. Tlie secluded road they travelled was in itself an enduring memorial of their fellow-soldiers' laboiu' as well as of the ability of the military engineer. By noon they had reached the " General's hut," so called from having been 'I '■^ t ri' '. 1 < f ■,-\, ■ I" . '! H 210 LIFE or WOLFE. • .ii'' y. / : !. fH.| ;(tf I |r,!| - Wade's hcatl(iiiartcrs while superintending the opera- tions of his " highwaymen," — as he facetiously termed the working soldiers; about a mile beyond which, — " Among the lu-athj' liills and ragged woods, The roai'ing Fyers pours his mossy floods." A little further on, the road, leaving the verge of the loch, begins to ascend the mountains, and as it winds from ridge to ridge the barren summits of the everlasting hills rise tier beyond tier. A sharpc curve now opens on a bleak moor with its sullen tarn, and anon, another bend discloses some little glen through which a foamy burn bounds over its rocky bed, set in banks of luxuriant ferns, juni[)er, and fragrant birch.* Having at length gained the highest level, soon after the road begins to descend. Fort Augustus is suddenly seen in the middle of a vast hollow, close by the end of Loch Ness. Of the three great strongholds connected by the chain of mili- tary roads which crosses the Highlands from the ]\Ioray rirth to Loch Eil, Fort Augustus is central between Fort George on the north-east, and Fort William to the south-west. It was built after the first rebellion, and having been taken by the insurgents in 1745, was after- w^ards more strongly reconstructed. The fortress had now become Wolfe's headquarters, while his regiment was dispersed among the several outposts of the sur- roundhig district. Shortly after his arrival he wrote to his father as follows : — Fort Augustus, May 28, 1752. Dear Sir, We have been here about ten days, and the garrison at * ' Highland :Xote-Book.' mn 1753.] FORT AUGUSTUS. — BLACKIIEATII. ;21l oray cen tlic and 'ter- had Qicnt s ar- te to ^52. on at l^rcscnt consists of two fickl-officcrs, five or six other officers, and fourscore recruits. Lord Burv was soon tired and went off to Fort "William ; from thence he goes to Lord Breadal- baine's, and in a little while after to England. I can't find work enough to employ me here, and as the weather is tole- rahly fair, Avill visit some of our posts, and perhaps accept of an invitation from the Laird of Maclcod, who oflbrs to show me a very extraordinary old castle in the Isle of Skye.* Mr. Collingwood, our Lieutenant-Governor, is an old accpiaintancc of yours ; he expresses great esteem for you, and desires me to tell you so. He is very agreeable to us all in his character of Governor, and if he can't make the place quite pleasant^ he endeavours to make it easy. You have heard of the strange murder that Avas committed about a fortnight since by two Highlanders, at the instigation, it is believed, of a lady, the wife of a banished rc1)el. The gentleman was an Argyleshire man, and factor upon some of the forfeited estates. Several men are apprehended upon suspicion, but I'm sure it will be very difficult to discover the actors of this bloody deed. The factor intended to remove the old tenants and to plant others in their room, and this is supposed to be their reason for killing him. One of our officers has sent me a roebuck. It is a curious kind of deer, less than our fallow-deer, but seldom fit to eat. I intend to have it tamed and carried to England, as a present to my mother. It will be three weeks or a month before we shall be told whether we may go or must stay. They arc more exact and ready in warning us of the expiration of our * Diuivogan Castlo, the familj-scat of tlic !Macleocls, lliougli a very ancient structure is still in perfect reiiair. It stands upon a rock pro- jecting into the water, at tlie head of a bay formed by two low pro- montories, between the points of wLicli the distant mountains of Long Island arc visible. The castle forms three sides of an oblong figure enclosing an area facing the sea, and fenced b}- a low wall pierced with, embrasures. A fine view of Dunvegan forms one of the illustrations of Pennant's 'Tour in Scotland.' See also Anderson's 'Guide to tlic Highlands,' where will be found an account of the fairy flag, the horn of Korie ]\[ore, and other relics of the Macleods. P 2 t V. S 1 I . ■ ; \k 010 T.II'E or WOLFE. } ■ 1 4: Ji !'■ ? ■ I i i leave than in granting it. I wish you mueh health, beg my duty to my niotlier, and am, Dear Sir, etc., J. Wolfe. The murder of Colin Campbell, of Glleiuire, caused a great scusation for some time. He had beeu appointed by the court of Excheijuer, factor of the forfeited estate oi" Charles Stewart, of Ardshiel. Having been directed by the court to eject the tenants of the late proprietor, Campbell, on his way to execute his orders, whilst pass- ing through a wood, was shot dead from behind a tree. One Allan Breck Stewart, a French cadet, was strongly suspected to be the assassin ; but although a large reward was offered for his a])prehension, he effected his escape.* James Stewart, natural brother of the late owner of the estate, was convicted of participation in the murder, and sentenced to be hung on a conspicuous eminence near the place where the foul deed had been perpetrated. Tied upon a horse, and guarded by a large body of sol- diers, he was carried from Inverary to Fort William, whence he was conveyed to Ballaclielish, under a guard of 100 men of Bockland's regiment. On their arrival at the ferry the weather was so boisterous that the ri',er could not be crossed until the next morning, and it was midday when they reached the place of execution. " The storm was so great all the time," wrote the correspondent of the ' Edinburgh Courant,' " that it was with the greatest difficulty one could stand upon the hill, and it was near five o'clock before the body was hung in * Some in I cresting incidents of tlio future career of Allan Breck Stewart are related by tSir AValter Scott in the introduction to ' Hob Hoy.' ^RP 1752.] I'OllT AUGUSTUS. — BLACKIIEATII. 13 i'l'lV al :i', er was The ^dciit the Ind it S ill 1 I Brock Hob chains." It docs not a])pcar from tlic report of tlie trial, which is continued month after month in the ' Scots Magazine,' tliat the murder was instigated by the wife of the banished rebel, as was rumoured ; but his sister, it was shown, had sheltered and facilitated the escape of the fugitive. This was neither the first nor the hist of such outrages, for the lives of factors were then held as cheap in the lliirl'' nds as those of agents have more recently beei. > Ire :1. But, returning to our hero ; he was not kept quite so long in suspense as he had anticipated, for it is evident, from his subsequent proceedings, that he set out on his travels about a fortnight after the date of the last letter. On his way to Perth he visited some of the posts occu- pied by his regiment. One of these, the first en route, was at Ruthven, in the district of Badenoch, six or seven miles from the fort. The small barrack here was built in 1718, on a mount by the Spey-side, from the ruins of an old castle which previously occupied the site. It w^as stoutly defended in 174G, by Sergeant Molloy and twelve men, against 300 of the rebels. It was in this neighbourhood also that the lliahland chiefs re-assem- bled after the battle of Culloden, in hopes the Chevalier would try another engagement. The adjacent village of Ruthven is only remarkable as the birthplace, in 1738, of (Ossian) M'Pherson. We trace AVolfe at Ruthven by means of a report for- warded to the Connnander-in-Chief at Edinburgh, on the 4th of July, by Lieutenant Hartley, wdio, speaking of the capture of two notorious thieves, says : — " M'Pher- son and William M'Donald, alias Gilbrandick, are con- \ M 211. MFE OF WOLFE. n I *. JV. fl'' fined in the gaol here, tliougli your orders are not come for that purpose. It is owing to orders from Colonel AVolfe, to whom I showed the information when here, and also to the informers petitioning the justices of the peace." In addition to the three strong forts which com- manded the great artery of the Ilighhmds, there were twelve niihtary posts established throughout the shires of Aberdeen, Banfl', Forfar, Perth, SterHng, and Inver- ness, inchiding a large sweep of the Hebrides, thus embracing the greater portion of the territories of the rebellious clans. Each of these stations, situated at a commanding point of a given district, was garrisoned by a captain's or a lieutenant's guard, and threw out a scries of sub-posts, occupied by a sergeant or a corporal with a few men. The intervening distances were under the surveillance of patrols, while special parties were fre- quently sent to scour the mountains. The first duty of every officer commanding a detach- ment was to send out the several small parties to the minor stations ; and the Sunday after his arrival he was to cause the minister of each parish within the district to read and explain to his congregation an advertisement setting forth the objects which Government had in view, viz. the protection of the persons aud properties of peace- able and honest subjects, and the suj)pression of the lawless depredations to which they were exposed. Each officer was likewise provided with a copy of exceedingly minute instructions for his own guidance in the irksome and onerous duties required of him. The sergeant or corporal of each sub-post was obliged to send a written return, weekly, to the captain of the parent post, detailing i|.- 1752.] rOllT AUGUSTUS. — lU.ACKIlEATII. no tee- the Each igly )mc or tten ling all bi'caclies of tlic law, captures, etc., Avitliin liis watch ; and the superior oniccr was bound to forward these re- turns, together with his own report of whatever had liap- pened within the limits of his comniand, the condition of his men, prices of provisions, and other particulars, to the Commander-in-Chief. The severity of the rebellion statutes, though justifiable only on the plea that milder measures had already been ineffective, tended eventually to benefit the country. The energy of the people was turned towards honest industry, while the martial el.a- racter of the Highlanders became properly developed by enlistment in the royal army. AA^olfe lived long enough to lead many of them to victory, and bitterly did the breechless braves revenge his death. The duties of military officers in the posts above-men- tioned were as unpleasant as the execution of them was vexatious. It is unnecessary, however, to enter into dry details of the system, for happily it can be illustrated, in a more interesting manner, by means of a few extracts from reports by others of Wolfe's officers, concerning whom the reader may probably desire to know some- thing.* Ca[)tain Walter Johnson, who had marched from Inverness on the ISth of May, arrived at Inver- comrie on the 21st. This post, situated on the banks of Loch Rannoch, in a very wild district of Perthshire, commanded the memorable pass of Glcncoe leading to the sea-arm, called Loch Linnhe. In his first report, on the 7tli June, the captain writes : — " In this countiy we * The orijfinal reports were transcribed by Colonel Riekson in a folio volume, which was found amongst his ellects, and is now in the pos- session of John Buchanan, Esq., of Glasgow, to whom I am indebted for much local information. ' { ,1 I . •' . : I -r '■• % .010 1,1 1'K Ol' WO I, IK. have great scareity of provisions. A great ninny cattle luivc (lied, and what are alive arc scarcely able to crawl, so that the men get very little to bny, unless milk and eggs." On the l;Uh of July the same olKcer says: — "When the sergeant was passing through Api)inadow, he took a fellow wearing a blanket in form of a philabeg. lie carried him to Perth, but the Sheriff-substitute did not commit him, because the blanket was not a tartan. On his return, he met another of the same kind ; so, as he found it needless to carry him before a magistrate, he took the bhmket philabeg and cut it to pieces." Captain Alexander Trapand, who was stationed at Laggan Acluidrom, an important position between Lochs Locliy and Oich, commanding several gorges towards the sea, in his return of the 12th of Junes, writes: — ■ " Provisions are yet scarce, but plenty soon expected, as the people are coming from their sheilings." After describing the hardships of married soldiers with young children, owing to the scarcity of meal and of fuel, the captain quotes the prices of such pro\isions as the country afforded: — "Sheep, irjiea fo be had, three or four shil- lings ; goat, the same ; lamb, sixteen to eighteen pence ; butter, four[)ence per pound ; eggs, three halfpence a dozen." The same officer's report of the 30th October supplies a more exciting passage : — " The sergeant stationed at Kiiockfiu apprclicnded, on Sun- day the 15th instant, one John Farquharson, a Popish priest, di'csscd in all his sacerdotal vestments, as he was preacliing to above three hundred persons in a great barn at the bridge of Cannich, in Strathglass. He \\iis brought to me, and I scut him with a party and the witnesses, togctlicr with his vest- ments and all the altar furniture, to the Shcrili" of Invcrncss- .1, ' Ti. f 17.-):^.] rollT AUGUSTUS. — UI.ACKIIKATll. 217 mii- |icst, gto Ic of Iscnt kst- Icss- shiro, who committed liiin to gaol. The next day he was hailed out. The sergeant ran a great hazard of his life in taking the al)ovc ])riest, as he was disguised, hy u small sword and two soldiers with their bayonets, the people making an attempt to rescue the priest.'' Captain Charles Dcsclouscaiix,* reporting from 13rac- niar Castle, in the district of Mar, Alicrdecnshire, on the 15th Jnne, writes to General Chnrchill in these terms : — " Sir, — In ohedionce to your commands, I send you a report of my detachment, with several letters in regard to M'Pherson, taken up for wearing the Highland dreas. J beg you would ])leasc to let me know your commands on that head. I have got the plaid. ^Vheu my corporal was going to take the prisoner before a justice of the peace by my order, the mob rose; on which my corporal secured y\llan Coats, and brought him to me at Braemar ; on which I sent Ensign Butler with him to ^Ir. Gordon, who, I was informed, was a justice of the peace ; but he refused acting, as not being qualified. One Sliaw, a half laird, who came with my corporal and party to Bracmar, has given his note for Coats's apr carance. lie pre- tends to sav the soldiers were in fault : but, by all accounts I can receive, this Shaw was the occasion of the riot, calling to his men in Irish to secure the soldiers, and I now find that this Coats is his servant. I long to know your commands. We want magistrates that will or dare exert themselves. This is a nest of rogues and rebels. You may rest assured that neither pains nor cost shall be wanting in me to bring any of these vile miscreants to a due obedience of the laws.'' Captain Desclouseaux again reports, on the loth of AnGjnst : — * Captain Desclouseaux was an ofllcer of General "Wolfe's rotriment, wliic'li .succeeded Lord Bury's in tlieir several Scotch stations. He acted as adjutant at Fonti-noy, where lie was wounded, and, in the year 1755, was made I'Mrt-Major of 13crwick. Wolfe speaks of him as " an oflicer of skill and capacity." s \ '< . J 1 ■ \ 218 l.ll'F, )F WOLI'K. I ' i r ^ ill^K^■^■ "Mr. Small, of late Lord Loudoun's rrffinicut of Ili^rli- laiulcrs, jiaid me ii visit, the purport of which was to infornv mc that ISerf^eant Moorr, a/itis Caiucron, was on a fhicviiij^ party with seven of his conipanious, aiul to advise nu' to take care of the ])asscs between Dec and Sands, which I accord- ingly did. At his return to Spittle he sent for my serj^eant, and, as we had concerted, advised him to patrol as iisual, but to go out afterwards in dead of night ; and my patrol was oi'dcrcd to meet them at the foot of a cairn, whi(;h being done, both patrols, w ith pr()[)er giiidcs, proceeded to the place suspected. AVlicn they came to the cairn they crouched in, and found eight persons asleep, llccovcring from their sur- prise, they attemi)tcd in seize their arms and defend them- selves; l)ut iny people bound them all prisoners, and brought them to tlic castle. They had arms aiul plaids, which were secured. It seems they arc all great rogues, and the first (Macken/ic) is strongly suspected of some murders. As my patrols since my last report have been so irregular, you will, I hope, dispense with the usual form of the return; it being impossible for mc or the sergeant and men to tell what glens or passes they went over, it being in the dead of night, and trusting to the guides appointed." Cnptain John Bcckwitb, who was stationed at the head of Loch Arkaig, entering into the hiunonr of the subject, informs the Connnander-in-Chief : — "On the 24th of hist month (August), one of my men brought nic a man to all appearance in a philabeg ; l)ut on close exa- mination 1 found it to be a woman's petticoat (which answers every end of that part of the Highland dress). I sent him to the sheriff-substitute, who dismissed him." It was a hard task to hunt down the philabeg, for the poor Highlanders clung to it as fondly as do ladies now to their crinolines. In their ciuleavours to evade the law, various dodges were resorted to, but the simplest ' !^ wpi y 17o2.] I'OUT AUGUSTUS. — lUiACKIIKATII. 219 tlic tliu thu t lUC CXfl- [hich icss). I* " llU). tlic 1 now the Iplcst mode was hy mrnns of a few stitclics in tlio garment to convert it into a rude sort of kn'ivkcrhockcr.'* Now to piu'sne our traveller. On the 20th of .huie Wolfe reached I'erth, where he enjoyed for a few days the society of the ollicers of liis father's regiment. His host U[)on this occasion was the old friend at whose expense he so frccpiently vents a sarcasm, Major Loftns, who is now represented to Mrs. AVolfe as being ** more humorous and pleasant than he used to be ; at least, he appears so to me, who am al- most grave." Another passage in the same letter from Perth (June 2 I) allbrds an instance of the tyraimy of fashion : — " If you know of a good servr.ut tha' can o'" will learn to dress a wig, and save me that prodigion- expense in London, it will l)c a favour done to nie to engage him. John is dirty and grows impertirent ; the other I have turned awav for killing one horse and for spoiling the rest." As some degree of skill in arts such as that of the friscttr was recpiircd of valets in those days, these accomplished gentlemen entertained high notions of their personal importance; and as the Lieutenant-Colonel was somewhat hasty in his temper and abhorred a "coxcondj," — his strongest term of con- tempt, — there happened occasional ••(/•Usions between master and man. A\'olfe also, though ever grateful for * In tlio yoar 1755, a captain of Lord George Bcauderk's regiment wrote uilli his return Iroin Loch Ai'l^a'^. — "I have a report from the oiliccr commanding in Xortli and South Morer that the inlud)i(ants begin to wear, instead of breeelies, stuff trousers, mncli after the fashion of those that seamen use, but not longer than the kilt, or philabeg. T am at a h)ss to know whether to look upon that as part of the Highland dress, and to take notice of such people as oU'euders against the law." '. 1 I ' ■! ih^ u 220 Lll'E OF WOLl'E. )«.' »)'•■>• PS I ' , I,. ., f;i ; : t I ! faithful services, looked upon a mere servant as very in- ferior to a private soldier. An anecdote is related of him in a military comj)ilation, so characteristic, that it may be adopted as an illustration.* It is said that one day, when taking a ride, he dismounted, and left his horse for his servant to hold. On his return, finding a Grenadier hohhng both horses and the servant gone, he immediately took hold of the bridles, thanked the Grena- dier, and told him to remain. When the groom came back, " Sirrah !" cried Wolfe, " what do you mean by deserting your service, and taking up the time of this soldier? Had I employed him as you have, it would liave been proper enough ; but can you be such a fool as to think that a man who has the honour to wear the King's uniform, and is engaged in the service of his country, ought to supply the place of an idle servant? Know that it is your duty, and my conuiiand, that you wait upon the soldiers, and not the soldiers upon you !" After this picture of our hero, the contrast presented by a paragraph in the letter already (juoted from ap- pears ludicrous enough : — " I have another favour to beg of you, and you will think it an odd one. It is, to order some currant- jelly, to be made in a crock for luy use. It is the custom in Scotland to eat it in the morning with bread ; and I find it not only a very pleasant custom, but a very wholesome one. You know what a whimsical sort of person I am, and how variable and unsteady; nothing pleases me now but the rougher kind of entertainments, — such as hunting, shooting, and fisli- ing. There's none of *^hat kind near London, and I * ' Tlic Soldier's Coinpaniou ; or, Martial Eeoorder.' London, 1821. .,^_ - ■[ 1752.] FORT AUGUSTUS. ■BLACKIIEATII. 221 bcg have distant notions of taking a little, very little house, remote, ni)on the edge of a forest or waste, mostly for sport, and keep it until we go to Minorca." Wolfe was accompanied by the Major as far as Glas- gow, where he added, by way of ])ostscript to the same quaint missive : — '* I wrote tlie above at Perth, and close it at Glasgow. Loftus is by, and makes such a noif that I nmst finish as quick as possible." Our tra- veller, with the intention of crossing to Ireland and visit- ing his father's brother, IMajor Wolfe, at length started for Portpatrick. So wonderful has been the transfor- mation within the last century of everything connected with Portpatrick, that it is with difficulty we, who are "to the manner born" of railroads, steamers, piers, and lighthouses, can form any conception of the condition of the town and its inhabitants in 1752. As there was no artificial harbour, the only shelter for the craft which entered the port was that provided by nature in the narrow inlet between two long ridges of rocks j)rojecting into the sea. Whenever the wind blew towards the shore, the weight of water thrown in be- tween these barriers was so great as to render it neces- sary to run the vessels aground, to facilitate which ope- ration they were built with flat bottoms. The chief occupation of the townsfolk — women and children as well as men — was dragging boats by main force up the beach, out of the reach of the waves, which otherwise would have dashed them to pieces. " The inhabitants," says Sir John Sinclair, " were the happiest of mortals. Their contiiuuil exertions, in launching and dragging up the vessels, excited wonderful spirits, which they knew > I '. ' i 1 < i .1. ! i' 223 LIFE OF WOLFE. >M I ■■ m,. it i f how to recruit wlicn exhausted. Every day that a vessel sailed or arrived was a festival." These happy mortals were equally ready, whenever the opportunity ottered, to plunder vessels wrecked upon the coast, when the divi- sion of the spoil usually ended in a riot. Magisterial authority was so inefficient, that the lawlessness of the place became proverbial on the other side of the Channel ; insomuch, that when any of the people in Uonaghadec fell out, it was a common threat, — " I'll not meddle with you now ; but wait till I get you at Portpatrick, where there is no law." The earliest postal communication between Scotland and Ireland was established in 16G2, by the Earl of Newburg.* The mode of conveying the mail has un- dergone many changes. Eor a time there were regu- larly appointed packet-boats, but before a quay was built they were very uncertain ; for as, work or play, the pay of the sailors was running on, they were frequently not forthcoming when wanted. A rule was then adopt- ed, that the boat which sailed first should have the mail, and a certain sum for carrying it. This operated as a prennum for a good while, until the increase of trade rendered the government allowance no longer a primary object, and the post had to wait until some vessel com- pleted her cargo of merchandise. After being detoincd probably for days in Portpatrick, passengers, before they embjirked, w^re subjected to the annoyance of a ruffianly band of porters, whose extor- tions were so notorious that they were known by the significant name of the Uohhcnj, The short, and fre- * Chalmers's ' Calciloiiia,' vol. iii. ]7:)~\] FORT AUGUSTUS. BT.ACKIIEATII. 00 Q , 7 Dublin, l;Jtli .July, 1752. Dear Sir, Tiiis is the first dav of rest since I left Glasj^ow. I came here last night not a little fatigued, you may believe, with such continued hard exercise, but otherwise in better condition than I have known for fourteen months past, leaner than can be described, and burnt to a chip. I have seen your letter to my uncle, and am greatly concerned that your health is not so perfect as I always wish it to be. If the season has been of the same sort that they have had in this country, — very wet and cold, — it may be accounted for, and a drier air and more sun will, I hope, relieve you. ]My uncle lias complaints in his back and limbs, and is obliged to put on flannels : Avhether it be the rheumatism or gout ^flying about him, his physicians cannot determine, lie is otherwise cheerful and well. I stay here four or five days, and then set 'f * 'An Englishman's Descriptive Account of Dublin,' etc., by Na- thaniel Jefferys (1810). Miss Eilfreworth also, in her tale of ' Ennui,' gives an amusing descriptiuu of Irish posting. ] 10 '■■] FORT AlKiUSTl'S. — BI-ACKH KATII. 225 out for Cork, wlioro I shiill ombark in one of the Bristol ships; and if I find myself stronj; in health and in cireum- stances shall continue my journey from Bristol through the "West, and so home. I cajue vcstordav from Droijheda, hut not till I had seen that ground and that river so remarkable in our history.'^ The Vrotcstants have erected a monument in memorial of their deliverance, very near the ford where the King crossed the Boyne. The inscriptions take notice of the luqjpy conse- quences of that battle, and on one side of the pillar they do honour to the memory of Duke Schomberg.f I had more satisfaction in looking at this spot than in all the variety that I have met with; and perhaps there is not another piece of ground in the world that I could take so much pleasure to observe. The north of Ireland and the neighbourhood of this city are very little inferior for beauty and fertility to any parts of England that I have seen, and others thev exceed in both. And there is yet great room for difl'erent improvements, par- ticularly in planting and draining the boggy grounds. They have fine clear streams as can be seen, and very large timber where it is encouraged; but I am told that the best estates t . I put y'ing •wise Li set Na- uiui,' * " ^Tr. Wil(l(», in liis acrnuiit of the battlt> of tlie Boyno, says: "GrandiT baltlc-liolds, more extensive plains, as that of Waterloo, — or with the mountains looking upon the sea, as at Marathon, — nuiy easil}' be found ; hut for inland, sylvan beauty, the diversity of hill and dale, with wooded hanks and a sliining river, this seene of action nuiy well challenge coni])elilion." ("The iJoyne and the Jilaekwater,' p. 2 1.2.) + The Boyne monument is founded ujjon a rock on tlie soutliern hrink of the river, two miles ahove Drogheda. The base is 80 feet in circumference, and the obelisk I'isea to a height of 170 fi'ct. Ac- cording to the inscription. — "This nu'morial of our deliverance was erected in the ninth year of the reign of King George TI., the first stone being laid by Lionel iSackvillc, Duke of Dorset, Lord Lieute- nant of the kingdom of Ireland, 17;?(i." TIic monunu>nt, designated by Twi.«s "the grandest modern one in all Eurojie," was designed by La C'ordi, and engraved by Vivares ; it also forms the froutispieco to ^Yright's ' Louthiaua.' I ', 1 ■ '\ I I '2'2C) I -111', 01' wohri;. arc involved (lcci)ly in debt, the tenants raokcd and plundered, and consequently industry and good husbandry disappointed or dcstrovcd. This appears to be a prodigious city, and they continue to build ; the streets are crowded with peoi)le of a large size and Avell limbed, and the women veiy handsome. They have clearer skins and fairer complexions than the women in England or Scotland, and arc exceedingly straight and well made. You'll be surprised that I should know this so soon, but I have seen a multitude already, for they take some pains to show themselves. j\Iy uncle seems to have preserved his cheerfulness and vivacity. lie joins with me in wishing you both all manner of good. I am, dear Sir, etc., Jam. Wolfe . I »■ 'I ', Tlie interest felt by ^VoUc in the place wbere the last of the Stuart kin^s lost the chance of recovering; his crown was heightened by the recollection of Culloden, wlierc the hopes of that dynasty were completely de- stroyed. But the survey of the field in a military asj)ect interested him more than political associations or the beauty of the surromiding scenery. He observed the ground on the north l)ank of the river occupied by A\'illiam's army the night before the battle, and the po- sition of the Irish camp upon the opposite side. Here, on the morning of the 1st of Jidy, — two-and-sixty years ago, — the right forced the passage at Slane ford ; here, leading on the centre, fell the brave old warrior J\Iein- hardt, Duke Schomberg ; and here it was that the mon- arch of "immortal memory" himself, at the head of his cavalry, crossed the Royne, drove the enemy before him, and forced James to flee. The Ijattle of the Boyno fin-- Aeres when ^ard SlU'll \7:>2.] rORT AUGUSTUS. — BLACKIIEATH. 2:27 the po- fur- nished an admirable topic lor conversation between " Uncle Wat " and his favourite nephew. The veteran, who, it would seem, regarded James as an ado])ted son, whether a bachelor or not, had no children ; for Wolfe, who frequently speaks of his cousins AVhethani, Thomp- son, Goldsmith, Sothcron, and JJurcher, never mentions a cousin of his own name. Letters jilready given and others further on show the fatherly feeling of the old iMa- jor, who was not only ready to supply funds for travel, but was so anxious for the yo" ng man's improvement that he considered four masters a day not enough for him. They, nevertheless, differed in their opinions about military matters. The old soldier of Marlborough's time was so conservative as to think the vounn* officer's no- tions of discipline to be innovations. Ikit, notwithstand- ing, their mutual friendship never abated ; and it is grati- fying to know that Major Wolfe survived to see his high expectations of his nephew realized. It cannot now be ascertained in what part of Dublin the old Major resided ; for AVolfe's letters to him are directed to Lucas's Coffee-house. This place of mili- tary resort was situated on Cork Hill, near the Castle, occupying part of a mansion erected by Richard Boyle, first Larl of Cork, and consequently called Cork House. The building existed until the year 17()S, when it was demolished under an Act of Parliament for improv- ing the approaches to the Castle. Before the " Fifteen Acres " became notorious as a duelling site, the ground where so-called affairs of honour were settled was the yard behind Lucas's Coffee-house. Uj)on occasion of such rencounters, it was usual for the company to watch • \ s ! 'I ,1 \.\VV. 01' WOIJK. ff the conil)at iVoiii the windows, and lay wagers on tlie f i'it! K. !'f. issue. With the exception of London, the Irish capital was by far tlie most considerable city Wolfe had yet seen. At the time of his visit Dublin was ai)|)arently at the summit of prosperity. As the seat of the Irish Parlia- ment, and of a Viceregal Court, at that time more than a mere pageant, peers and commoners resided in the city, where many splendid mansions, now converted into public offices and merchants' warehouses dispensed la- vish hospitality as well as adorned the principal streets. The "Liberty" was inhabited by wealthy silk and pop- lin weavers ; and many other manufactures flourished in different quarters of the town. The linen trade with the north also added to the wealth of the caj)ital. Wolfe's representation of the " [)rodigious city " may therefore be accepted as within the facts. Nor is it less true that the tenants on many of the estates which su[)plied the wealth dissipated in the capital were " racked and plun- dered;" for absentees existed before the Union. Those political troubles, however, which ended in the Rebellion of 1798, had not yet been agitated, and Ireland gene- rally was in that state of calm which usually precedes a storm. That storm, and subsequent ones, have tended to the removal of religious and political grievances ; and there is now also an equitable balance between the cajjital and the provinces. Dublin possesses much more real wealth at the present day than when she could boast of a local parliament; but, being more equally distri- buted, it is not so osttntaiious. The city is now more * Gillicrt's ' History of Dublin.' 1752.] FOirr AUGUSTUS. — BLACK HEATH. '22\) beautiful than ever. Streets have been widened, paved, and lighted; tlie okl bridges over the Litiey, with tlieir liouses and booths, have been re})laeed l)y new ones without obstructions, and many sanitary improvements liave been effected. As the Lieutenant-Colonel spent about a week in l)ul)lin, and, like the hero of the lioync, " had not come to let the grass grow under his feet," he had time enough to see all the sights. There were the University and the Castle, but no Lord-Lieutenant inhabited thi' latter just then. There was also Strongbow's tond) in the nave of Christ Church, and another tomb in tlie choir of St. Patrick's, which he regarded with greater interest, — Schomberg's.* Li his perambulations he passed througli " Hell ; " for such was the unsavoury name given to the arched passage which led into the area on the south side of Christ Church, and east of the law courts. A repre- sentation of the Devil, carved in oak, stood above the entrance. The name and uncouth effigy, however, were the only objectionable features of the place ; for it was nothing worse than what would now be called an arcade, occupied by retailers of nick-nacks and children's toys. Furnished apartments, too, — usually advertised as " well suited to lawyers," — were to be had therein. f The fame of the region was not confined to Ireland, for Burns says in * Death and Dr. Hornbook,' — V ■ 'i ' I \ . ' i * " Sc'liomborg's bodj' was immediatelj' carried across *'ie river (o the English camp. His skull is still shown in the cathedral of St. Patrick's, where Dean Swift caused a monument to be erected to him, The family vault of the Schond)ergs is in the Cathedral of Mayence." (' The 13oyne and the Blackwater,' p. 251.) t Gilbert's ' Ilistorv of Dublin." 230 Lirr, or woi.i'k. I ' . f f! ^!/ 'Is.. " Bill llii.-. lliiit I iiiii ^'111111 to li'll. Which hilt'ly oil a iii'^ht Ih'Ii'II. Is just IIS ( rue lis the Pfil's in Hell. Or Diililiu filv." AVolfc had occasion to call at the Uoyal I'an-acks, then the only barrack in Dublin ; and here he \vas not far from the Park, wherein his father's neij^hbonr at J}lackhcath, — the Eail of Chestertield, — when Lord-Lieu- tenant of L'cland, erected the column surmounted bv a pho'uix, from which it has been erroneously suj)|)osed the J\u'k derives its name.* The only other military institution then existing in the nei^'-hbourhood of the city was the Royal Hospital at Kihiiainham — the Chelsea of L'eland ; and there is reason to believe that the Lieu- tenant-Colonel paid a visit to the " old fogies," as they are locally called, who inhabited here.f It is not |)robable that Wolfe again saw his uncle AValtCi after he took leave of him towards the latter end of July. The old officer, who, though cheerful and viva- cious, was now infirm, had been Major of the 3Dth Foot (Richbell's). His last service was on board the fleet, in which the regiment was employed during the years 1745 and 1740 as a uiarine corps; and he appears to have left the armv in 1747 ; at least, his name does not occur in any return or list of a later date.| * The U'rm "Pluicnix" is saiti, by competent aiitlioritics, to bo a corruption of two Irish words, signilyiiig a '' clear spriiiij," from the sjni wl:ich rises in the littk^ dell near the Military Hos])ital. t 'Die hospital at Kihnainhani for superannuated soUliers was founded by Ifoyal proekvmation, at an exjiense of ,C23,551), in the yiar 107i». X Tliese few particulars concerning the INTajor are gleaned from 'Quarters of the Army in Ireland,' pnl)lished at Dublin. Unydn. in his ' Uook of Dignities,' says : "The earliest Army l^is! our research i«r^ V'yi.] I'OIiT AUCUSTUS. — MI,A( KUliATM, ;:.'JI Of our hero's travels in the south of Ireland, his voy- age to Ihistol, and tour iu the west of |jii;ian(l, no record is extant.'' W'c; only ivuow that lie arrivid at .Ulaekheath about the time vheM those who went to bed on the night of Wednesday, i:nd of Septeudx'r, did not get up until the morning of the I 1th, and found them- selves no more refreshed than after an ordinary uight's rest. This was the period when, as not a i'v.w wise folks imagined, eleven days were curtailed ifom their lives by Act of Parliament. t The l^ill, which had become a law (2G Geo. II.) iu Septend)er, 1752, was introduced into the House of Lords, iu February, 1751, by the Earl of Chesterfield. It did not pass without op[)osition from Peers who, like the Duke of Newcastle, hated new- fangled notions, and considered it dangerous to meddle with long-established customs. The scientific details were managed by Lord Macclesfield, assisted by Dr. Bradley and other eminent men ; and the abstruse sub- has enabled us to discover is one in the >AIiIitary Tiihrary at C'haririir Cn)ss for tlie j-ear 17 1 1. The eavli<'st in the Eritish .^^llseunl is lor the year 175-1., from wliich timo the series of Army Lists ut the War Olliee also commences." (Note, p. :iI7.) * " A writer in the ' Gentleman's ^faifazinc' in 1752, says that a Lou- doner at that time would no more tlii' k of travellinleasurc than of going to Nubia." (Smiles, • Lives of JCn- <,'ineers,' a'oI. i. p. 19(>.) t " I shall never forget an itinerant orator of that his diiy, wlio was mounted on a joint-stool near the lioyal Mxchanuc. and whom, as I passed by, I heard declaimini,' in au impassiimed style, and with the true oratorical flourish, against the measures of Administration. ' They rob us of our ni.'ney,' said the fellow, "and they rob us of our fime too. What d'ye think they did with the ekveu days they took from us in last Sei)tend)er H Why, they sent them Id Ilanover; d— e, they sent them all, every ouc of them, to Ilanover ' ' ' (Gentleman's Maga- zine. March, 1800.) '. ' I , I I ,1 I ■'I 2'52 1,1 1' K Ol WO I, IT,. I } • ! ! , . I'^ii'.. ' i It s jcct \\!\H populnri'/cd by tlu^ (•iioi'p;<'tic Furl. 1 . t nc of thu ccKibrati'd k'ltfrs to IMiilip Stanliopc — witli ulioiii, by the way, ^^'(lltc was soon to Ihcoiih! acfiniiiiiti'd — Clit'stc'i'licld wiitis: "I have of late been a sort of an {{.sfroiioii/r iiialjjir, iiioi, by l)riiigiii^ into th(j ib)nsu of Lords a \\\\\ for the rcforniiiig of onr present calenchn*, and taking the New Style." In a sid)se(pient letter (March IS, o. s., 1751)110 gives the following account of the method by which he carried this ini[)ortant mea- sure : — '"It was absolutely necessary to make the House of Lords think that I knew something of the matter, and also make them believe that they knew something of it themselves, which they did not. For my own part, I could just as soon have talked Celtic or Selavonian to them as astronomy, and they would have understood mc full as well; so I resolved to do better than speak to the i)urpose, and to j)lease instead of informing them. I gave them, therefore, only an historical accoimt of ca- lendars, from the Egyptian down to the Gregorian, anni- sing them now and then with little episodes ; but I was particuliuly attentive to the choice of my words, to the harmony and roundness of my periods, to my elocu- tion, to my action. This succeeded, and \\'\\\ ever suc- ceed : they thought mc informed because I pleased them ; and many of them said that I had made the whole very clear to them, when I had not even attempted it." Another provision of the Act, that of making each year begin on the 1st of January instead of the 25th of March, was not so unpopular as the loss of the eleven days, for it had, to some extent, been ])ractically anti- cipated by writing additional figures to the number of V,:d.] FORT AUCJL'STUS. — IJLACK II HAill. 3B3 tlic year, from the hi'j^iiiiiing of Jaiumry until Tiai- 281. CHAPTER XT. PAIJIS. 1 • f if Ml I !• OcToiJEU, 1752 — March, 1753. The times rendered remarkable by those great events, of wliicli historians, in stage pln-asc, make " points," arc by no means the moot influential in the annals of a country. Battles, rebellions, revolutions, in short, all national crises, arc but the strikings of the clock whose monotonous ticks attract little attention. Though there happened no extraordinary incident in the history of France during Wolfe's residence in Paris, there were foreshadowings of coming calamities, for even then the storm was gathermg which was to burst in the French Revolution. Beneath the superficial splendour of the capital were an arbitrary government, a })rofligate court, a discontented people, and an and)itious priesthood. While Paris was in all its gaiety, the provinces groaned under intolerable l)urdens ; but the noblesse were too dcej)ly absorbed in the festivities of the day to be anxious about the morrow. Intellect was perverted, industry discouraged, and the true welfare of the kingdom sacri- ficed for the dream of foreign domination. The peace v.'hich existed between England and France ■««■■■ 52- .!.] PARTS. •:35 Avas no more than a suspension of hostilities, affording time to prepare for another war. Tliere was no desire on the part of eitlicr nation for permanent amity, and tlie representative of each court appears to have been chosen, not for his abihty, but for such personal qualities as were calculated tc render his residence endiu'able for a while. Thus, when the Due de ]\lircpoix was sent as ambassador to St. James's, .Marshal Saxe observed, " It is an excellent appointment, for he has a good leg, and can teach the English to dance :" while of the liritish ambassador in Paris, Madame de Pompadour remarked, " Milord Albemarle passes his time agreeably here. The King of England, \vlio lovus him, though I know not why, sends him his lesson all ready, and he comes to ri'peat it, like a schoolboy, to the Minister of Foreign Affl)irs." Wolfe's first letter from Paris is dated the 9th of Oc- tober. After the warmest expression of gnititude to his father for enabling him to accomplish his long cherished desire, he gives the following account of his journey : — 1 1 '. ■' I think it was the 2nd of October that I left Blackhcath. I lay that night at Canterbury; an old friend, a captain of Dragoons, supped with mc, and hcl[)cd to deliver mc from my own thoughts. The 3rd I went to Dover, and as my old Lady Grey's house was in the way I called upon her, and wa- very graciously received. She pressed mc to dine, but that could not he, as the time of the packet's sailing was uncertain. At her house I met a jNIiss Scott, whom my mother has heard of. The good old lady diverted herself with us two, told each that the other was not married, offered her mediation, and thought it a very lucky rencounter, for the young lady and I got to the houtic exactly at tlie same time. However, I escaped un- 23G LIFE or woLru. touclicd, and left my old friend to make np matters as slie pleased. The packet did not sail that night, but wc embarked at half an hour after six on Wednesday morning, and got into Calais at ten. I never sud'ercd so much in so short a time at sea. There were two English gentlemen of condition in the ship travelling my way ; we agreed to come together, and on Saturday, the 7th, in the morning, arrived at Paris without any sort of diiliculty or ineonvenicnce. The people seem (as their character is) to be very sprightly, and to deal largely in the exterior; for a man can hardly commit a greater crime than to be 7nal wise, on mal coHfe. The buildings are very magnificent, far surpassing any mg have in London. I mean the houses of the higher nobility and peers of France. The Gardens dcs Tuillerics, that you liave heard so much of, is as disagreeable a sandy walk as one would wish. They arc indeed near the Seine and the Louvre, but have little else to recommend them. The ^lall, or your park at Greenwich, are infinitely superior. There are no for- tified towns between Calais and Paris; the country is very beautiful in most places, entirely in corn, and quite oj)en where the woods allow it to be so ; that is, there are few or no enclosures. ]\Ir. Sclwin'^ has recommended a French master to me, and in a few days I begin to ride in the Academy, but must dance and fence in my own lodgings, for fear of a discovery. A letter would miscarry that had any strokes of polities in it, so I shall never touch that matter; besides, it is neither your taste nor mine. The Dauphin is perfectly recovered, and I believe the people are very hearty and sincere in the satisfac- tion and pleasure they profess upon that occasion. The Duke of Orleans, to signify his particular joy, has given an enter- tainment at St. Cloud, in the highest taste and magnificence, and at a prodigious expense. f * An Enj^lish banker in Paris. t The rocovei'y of the Dauphin from the small-pox gave I'isc to nu- mvrous feles, tliemost remarkable of whioli was an allegorical display of lironorks exhibited at Bellcvue l)y Marlanic de Poni])adour. The royal ]',:r2-:,:].] TMllS. 2:i7 ic, and dance \y- A it, so your iind I Itisfuc- Dukc lentcr- •cnce, I to nu- jplay of royal On the .CGtli of October, WoHc wrote as follows to his mother : — Dear Madam, llavinjj discovered that I understood but little of the Freneli hiiiguage, and that 1 speak it very incorrectly (not- withstanding Mr. llarcn's lionourable apjjrobation),^ I am disposed to fail upon some method tiiat may lead me to a better knowledge of that useful tongue. The first necessary step is to leave off speaking English, and to ^vrite it as little as possible. This resolution of mine shall not, however, extend so far as to cut off all communication between us, for I had rather lose this or a nnieh greater advantage than be denied the satisfaction of expressing my regard for you in the plainest and dearest manner; and I \\\\\ borrow neither the language nor meaning of these airy people when I speak of that. Lord Albemarle is come from Fontainebleau to his country house within two miles of Paris, and will soon be fixed for the cold season. I went to Fontainebleau to pay my respects to him, and have very good reason to be pleased witii the recep- tion I met with. The best anuisemeut for strangers iu Paris is the opera, and the next to that is the playhouse. There are some fine voices in the first, and several good actors in the last.f Tho theatre is a school to ac(iuire the French language, for which reason I frequent it nmre than the other, l^cjiides, it is a cheaper diversion. You'll be ..riad to hear tluit heir was roiircscnti'd as a liiuiiiio'.is dolpliin in !',,> '.'utry of a lake, surrounded by giottocs oi'cui)i(Hl liy mmisicrs, *• ho disirorgod flames aL^ainst him. But his tulclary deity, Ai)o!l'\ ('ai!ir.i( lii.'idei* and li'dilniutr from the elouds, tlie eueiiiv wiiU their luil)itati(>ns were totally destroyed. Tlie seene then ehani;evl into a gorgeous palace of tlit^ iSun, wherein the dolphiu rea|ii>earetl amidst ilUiniinatiuus, ■\\liieli lasted till morning. (See "Annual Ivegisler.' 17<) vvas no less immoral than amonii-st the aristocracy, and all classes overlooked the irreguhu'ity of the monarch. She supported the military power of \\\v state, and greatly encouraged the rc-cstablishment of the navy. In her desire to advance the ai'ts and to provide empk)yment for the people, she founded a manufactory to rival that of Dresden, and with her oriiiinated the beautiful ware of Sevres, for which her own pencil frequently furnished designs. In supporting tlie authority of the Parliaments she incurred li'iii])ovjuK'OUs aci'oiint of I'aris : — '" Toiito la trmiix' i'>t coinpost'L' di' troiito couic'clioiis ft coiiRHliciiiies ; tuns soiit irc's-ricliciiu'iit lialiilli'Z, c't luicux (|Uo dans aucuii aiitro pa3-s. C'cst (Imiimati,!.' (pif lo tlu'alrc ot It's (U'-coi-atioiis DC rc'poiuk'iit ])as a la iiiai^iiilifciice dcs liahits, i-l a la hoiiti' dfs ])ic't'c'S ([u'un 3- juuo ; commo Ics lrai;('dios do C'ornoillu cM de Hacinc, et les comodies do Mulioro." ('^Jomoriul do Paris,' par -M. rAl)boAnloiiMii.) * John Wliotham, Esq., of Kii-lclinn;ton Ffall, Nottiiii^rliamsliiro. was tlio only son <,r biont.-Cu'iioral Tliomas W'liotliani. and JA^ry, daiii;lilor of ildward Tlioni])son, Esq., of .Marst:)n, 'i'orkshiro (Mrs. ^\'ol^o"s sistor). Jiowas boi-n in 1731 ; marriod Eli/.al)olli, daiiglitor of Evol} 11 Clnuhviclv, Escp. of West J^oak ; was slicrilf of" tho county of York; and diod withont snrviving issue in 1781. (Burke's 'Landed Gentry,' ed. 1850, Supjilcmcut.) ];:.->"5:5.] I'ARIS. 239 SllC and tor LU ■red ■0 111' [illrz, ;itiv II r ilL- 1)111- liter He try, tlip liatrecl of the pricstliood, wlio used every endeavour to win over the Dauphin, whose regular Hfe east re- proaeh u|)on his father's; but lie was neither })erniitt('d nor inehued to assume power; whiU; the Qiu-en taeitly bore with the insults of her husband, and soothed her sorrows by asceticism. In January ITo.'J, /a Marquise, being raised to the tahom-cl, with the rank and ])rero- gatives of IJiic/iOisc, became (pialified to be seated in tiie Queen's presence, to be called " cousin," and receive the roy ' kiss. But when, according to eticjuette, the parvenu was presented to the Daii})hin to be kissed, he turned away with scorn, for which spark of manliness his father dismissed him from Court, and did not restoi-c liim to favour untd he had begged the royjd mistress's pardon in the presence of witnesses. The favourite's fall was, however, drawing nigh. After the banishment of the Parliament of Paris in the same vear, she, who had all through supported their interests, was ordered to retire from the Court. The Jesuits, t)n-ough the royal confessor, tried every artifice to alarm the King's feeble sense of religion and morality ; but these means failiui;, the Pompadour was supplant' J in his atlections by the daughter of an Irish officer in the pay of France. Thus she, who at one time might have exclaimed with Louis XIV., " Vclat ('est iiio'i!'^ becan>«' as n)ueh contcnnied as she had been caressed. AVhetiier or not it was she wiio uttered the words, " After me the Deluge," no one could have spoken them with more trutii. In compliance with Mrs. A\'olfe's desire that James shoidd write alternately to her and to his father, on the 2nd November he informs the latter: — J . ' ( "I 210 JAW. OF WOLl'K. I ^' I ' ', i'- n if il \ ' Lord Albemarle has behaved to nio in a manner that 1 could not presume to expeet from him. ^Vhellevcr he eomes to Paris he immediately sends for me to his house, ami puts me upon so easy and genteel a footing there that I have not langiuigc enough to return him proper tlianka. If you should see Lord Bury, T l)eg you'll be so good to take notii^ie of it. I have writ to his Lordship to acknowledge the eti'ect of his letter, and to signify my grateful sense of his and his father's excessive politeness. There's but little company in town at present. In ten days, however, it will be crowded. ^Nlr. Stanhope, Lord Chesterfield's son, is here; he came to visit nic the other day, after his arrival, but we have made no ac- quaintance yet, so that 1 camiot give you any judgment upon the offspring of so great a man ; l)ut 1 laney, not without some grounds, he is infinitely inferior to his father. Lord BrudencU is at one of the academies, and is the direct reverse of the Earl. One could hardly believe that a creature of his stamp could have any relation or eonnectiou with a man of Lord Cardigan's sweetness of tem[)er.'^ AVe have had the finest autumn that has been known for manv years. The drv air and constant exercise have restored me to a condition to be envied. Phdip Stanhope, who was now in his twenty-first year, became, al)out this time, an attache to the British Embassy. The Earl of Chesterfield had spared neither pains nor expense upon his education. IJis travelling tutor was the Rev. \\ alter liarte, afterward? a canon of Windsor, and author of the 'Life of Custavns Adolphus." Starhopv although well informed, and pos- sessed of a good understandiii'^, was most deficient in * John, Lord BrU'lcjjcll.ouly son of George, fourth Eiirl ofCardigau and Lady Mary. (Uiui'hti'r of -John, Duke ol' Montagu. He was l)orii in 17;io, raised to the peerage as Lord Montagu of Jioughton, in 17t)2, and died unnuirried in 1770. The Earl of Cardigan, afterwards created Duke of Montagu, dying in 17'jO, the dukedom became extinct. (Collins ; ed. 1812.) ■ ■ ■ u * \i:,>-:u\.] PAins. :2[\ ■first itisli itlicr tinou tavus I j)OS- ut ill hiti'ii in 17t)2, [•rout oil Ixtiuct. tlic very points in which it wns his ialhir's iirdiMit wish that lie slionM shine, — Ick gnlvcx : hu was rarch'ss in his (h'css, muttered in liis speeeii, and l)eeanie n great eater I Lord ChesterticUi's e(hu'ational philosophy is summed up in his eoiuisel to this voulh ; — " Studv the eharaeters of tlie people yon have to ch) with, and know wliat tliey are, instead ol' thinking tlieni what thiy shouh.l he; adth'ess vonrsei*' Li-enerally to the senses, to tlie heart, and to the' weaknesses of mankind, hut I'arelv to tiu'ir reason." In a(hhtion to his precepts, he pointed out several exam[)les of men who had achieved greatness by means of their address ; one of liis instances may l)e ap- ])i'()[)i'iately (jnoted here : — " Between von uud me, wlait do vuii think made our friend Lord Alhcmarle Colonel of a regiment of (iuards, (iovcnior of A'irjiinia, (irooin of the Stole, and Amhassador to Paris; amounting; in all to sixteen or seventeen thousand pounds u year? A\asithirth? Xo, a Dutch i;cnillemau only. Was it his estate? No, lie had none. \\'as it his learniuj^, his partsj his [jolilieal abilities and aiiplieation? You can answei* these questions as easily and as soon as I can ask them. What was it then ? jNIany ])cople wondered, hut I do not ; for I know, and will tell you. It was his air, his address, his manners, and his graces, lie pleased, and by pleasing he- came a favourite, and l)eeoming a favourite, heeanic all that lie has bciai since. Show me one instance where intrinsic worth and merit, unassisted by exterior aecom[)lislimcnts, have raised any nian so high,"* * Aniold-.loMst \ WW K«'])])i'I. wlio canu' to EiiLrliUnl willi Kiiii; ^\'illiaul ill lliSS, is said, by ^'ohlf, to have l)i'eii I'luiiloyod in copying im[»('rs, and otlior trivial sofvii-es, until instiifateil Ity Lord Snadcrland to suitphint the t'avoiirite, Bontincli, when lie was ei'eated !'af.>n of Aslil'oi'd, \'is('ouiit Bury, and Earl of A llieiiuirle. His son, W illiaiu- Anne, the second Earl, who is spoken of alcove, entei'cd the army in 1717 ; served on the Contiiieiii during the war of tlie Aii'<0'iau suecos- H < \ J21.2 LIFE OF WOLFE. ) •'■ I ■ t I ■fM A" I low different was tlic scliooling of Wolfe and of Stanhope ! AVliat a contrast l)et\veen the men ! The Lientenant-Colonel, in his next letter to his mo- ther, relates his manner of life : — I am up every morniiif^ at, or 1)eforc seven o'cloek, n\u\ fully ciii])l<)ye(l till twelve; theu I dress and visit, and dine at two. At five, most people (I mean strangers) go to the public en- tertainments, which keep you till nine, and at eleven I am always in bed. This May of living is directly opposite to the practice of the place ; but I find it impossible to pursue the business I came upon and to comply with the customs and manners of the inhabitants at the same tijue. No consti- tution, however robust, could go through all. My cousin W'hetham is near me, and lives much in the same way that J do. We arc a good deal together, and as far as 1 can perceive he has an exceeding sweet temper. He has been strangely managed in his education, not in point of learning, but in other respects. However, his principles are right, and I hope unalterable. There is another letter on the 25th of November, full of what the writer calls " chit-chat nonsense," concerning domestic rather than French affairs ; for, as if seekinii; relief from the distractions of the foreign caiiical, his " heart nntravelled " turns homewards. He wishes he could send home some of the iinest grapes he had ever seen, gat lercd for him fresh every day from the garden of a convent, — " the same the King eats, and a great curiosity at this season ;" and says he has been intro- sitiii, iiiid connnaiidod a division al CuUodeii, nCicv wliicli lie \vm> ai>|)i)inic'd t'oimiijnuU'r of tlii- Forros in Scotluud. He married bad) Aimc Li'iiiiox, (hui;;litt'r oi' Cliurlcs. l)uko of lliclmioiid, by vvlioin lie liad ('ii;li( sons and sovcii daiif^iitt'i's. Al'icr llic peai-c, in 17 IS, lie was a)i]>oiiiU'(l lli'ilisii AiMi)assador to tiic I'^rciich Cotirt, ami died al Paris on tlie 22iid of Peceniher, 175 !■. See Walpule's Letters, Greuvilie I'orresiiondciice. .\I('moirc-i de ^laniioiilel, ete. ^•, full 'ruing 'ckiug il, his ics \\c \d evui' ;ai'(lou o-ivat iutro- lio was ilioiii Ill- he was at I'ai'is iiTUvilli' /.j; •:,:..] PARrs. 2i;i (lucctl to tlio vvL'll-known Lady Aicliibald Ilauiiltou. liut ho is not totally iudiftcrcnt to what is passiuj^ uiulcr his eye ; for towards the cud of his roundabout missive, ho remarks : — " Tho [)oor people of this land arc going into eonfusiou n[)on religious matters, and at a critical time, when they niiglit free thcUiSelves from an intoh r- al)lo burden. 1 hate to see Uiisery or the; prospect of misery, even amongst those likely to become our ene- mies. This is all that can be said upon the subject." The religious dissensions to which Wo'l'e alludes arose out of the (lis[)ute, in the previous reig", between the Jesuits and the Jansenists u[)on various theological questions. The Jesuits, with the King's consent, having referred the disputed points to the decision of Rome, the Pope issued the Bull known as " Unigenitns," from the word with which it begins. Hut instead of com- posing the dili'ercnces of theologians, the Jkill condcnni- ing the doctrines of the Jansenists spread disturbance tliroughout the country. The people, the parliaments, many of the inferior clergy, and a few bishops would not obey a decree which they considered infringed the laws jf the realm as well as the [)rivilegcs of the Galilean v'hurch. After the death of Louis XIV., the Regent, Or- leans, |)ut a stop to the persecutions inflicted by the Papal l)artisans, and for a time there was at least outward l)caee. Li the year 1750, however, it was ordained by the clergy that Extreme Unction should not be adminis- tered to dvino; ])ersons without confessional notes signed by priests who adhered to tho lUill, and all recusants were denied the last rites of the Church. This cruel ordinance wa.s enforced by the Archbishop of Paris, • I '■ 1 I t I t i .1, I i }•' 214 1,1 1'l. or VVOI.FK. I • hut l)(.;iiip; opposed liy tin; I'iiiliiiiiu'iil ol' I'iiris iiiid tlio proNiiicial Cliauil)Lr.s, siicli priests as refused to admi- nister the saciaiiient were, l)y tlieir orders, iii'prisoiied. The (,'imreii thereupon appealed to tlie KiiiLr, wlio forbade; the pnrhaineuts to iuterleri' iu religious uiaiters; tliey replied that their duty compelled tluiu to do justice; hctwri'U all parties, and regardless of the royai proluhi- tion coiitiuued to e\crci>e tlwir fuuctious. Matters had arrived at this juncture! when Wolte wrote as ahove ; in the follow iig year Louis \V., at the instination of the ])redominaiit party, baiushed the mendxMs of the seveial ])arlianK :its, when fresh troubles ami dillicidties ensued. To resunu the eorrcspondence ; on the; Ith of Deceudjer \\'olfc writes to his father: — If".. if ; I ! )- Dear Sir, — The jjost coines iu almost as r(;^iJarly as it there was no \\ator-earria<>e, so that when yon do me the lio- iiour to Avritc 1 ,":et vonr letter very soon. Tiiat of the .'.*7th !Novend)cr eanio 1o uw on tli*' !2n(l instant. It is, as yon sa\ Sir, some sort of advantage to me to liave adnilttancr t(» the Amhassail.v, and an honour to l)e under ii's iiroteetioa ; but it (hcsiiot include all the advautaj^es that ne would he a[(' to imiij^iue. lli.s Lordsliip does not see so o icl nmcli coninanv as And) )assa(lors eouuuoulv do; an d tl lOUiill s way he is \astlv liked and •reneraliv esteeuKMl in I'Vanee, hi f)t" livinj>' and that of the people of the country is sonicthinj dill ei'cnt.t * Ijonl t'liostortn Kl. in !i loUcr to his son, on Ajiril tlie l;5tli.o.s.. 1752. n liU's ]ii'o]ilii'ti('ally : — " I do not know wluit llic liord's nnoiiitcil. Ills vice to none hut hini lor his jictions. \\\\\ oillicr think or do, nnon tlu"S( rcrciit on earth, divincl}'- a])i)ointod hy him. and jicconntai syni|)tonis ot reason and yood sense w kieli seem to l)e hrenkinj; oiU all over J-'rance ; l)nt tliis I foresee, tliat hel'ore the end ot" this eentury, tlie trade ol' hoth king and priest will not ho half so good a one as it lias been." t AVal])ole writes to Mann (^lay 10, 1750) :— " Lord Alhenulrle keeps , -:i.ii : I ;. •.,>-:»:{.] r AUis. '2 I .") Tlio Diikc of WicliMioiid is in I'ai'is. I have met liiin some- times at Lord Alhemaile's, and i)V that nuaiis have the ho- iioiir to know liim. As liir us my (Useernment }?oe.>, he pro- mises to make a eousiderahk" fij^iin- in oiii' \\ay, to whieli his genius seems to lead him. and what is uneommon at eighteen he is not entirely taken uji with llu,' outward a[)|)earaiie,s and ^ildin^s of sohhi rship, hnt aii; s ;it the higher and nior;- ^.wlld hraiwhes of militai'v Unowh (!''(!. ^^ Mr. Ilaren's nephew i^ latelv returned from hi.s countrv- house. l\v and u very eivil old ladv, ]',h mother, havi; en- s of a lew (lavs. She has h-i'l Ik r little family in the utmost •^rief and distress. Lord Aicliihald is extremely old an>l infirm: hi; sou and daughter aie hoth . I th ) have under _'s thai see so ihough lis way u'thing lih. o. ■nouucii lun ml. Ill tlu'Sl' b out Jill Icciitiu'y, iiic as it ■kcepf ■•111 iiinnciisc talilc tlicVf. willi >i\ti'iMi iiiMpIc in llic KilcliLMi ; his aides- (Ic-cainp iii\ lie f\ tTvlicnlv. Iml lie st'ldoiii graces the liaiM|Uel hiiiiself. liviiiir retired (Hit of liie luwiiwnh his oM ( '(ilniiiliiiie .Madenidi^elle (iaiiihei' . What an extraoidlnary man! wiili im I'tii'tnne at all. and with slight jiarts, lie has eir.iMH>a vear iVimi the (lovernnient, which he xpuiMilers iiway. thoie^li he has great cleUts." (ieurge Jl. aptly said thai the firl was a '• sie\ e.'" * C"harle>, ihii'd Duke uf nichinnii,!, of the i.eiiiinv; iainilv was horn ill ir;i').anl >iicceeded to llu- iliikeiluni on the ileaili nl'liis liither in 17oO. AllhiiiiLch he never (li>lin:,Mii.vheil hiiiisell" as a niililary com- iiiaiuler. his fiiliiie career did mtl lielie Wolfe's expeclal imi-. Having ri'''eived the thanks (if Triiice I'erdiiiand lor hi> conducl at Ai inden, he was made Colonel ol" the 7-nd I'not. In 17e said to have begun his jiolitica! lil'e. and two years later, under the Hockiiig- liam administration, was ])rincipal Secretary of Stai In 17S2, he was a])iioinled .Master-( General ot' the ( )rdnauce ; on re-i^ninu' w liich post, ill 17'.>5. he received the com ma lid ol" a re,i;imeiil of liiuv-e (iiiards, and was created a Field-Marshal. He was much ; i\ i to literary pursuits, a princely ])atron of the arts and uf all iiselui and charitahio institutions, and liis private life was uniin])eachalile. lie died without i>siie, ill ISOti, loaviug, in the words of Sir \\. l}ryd.ii;es. " a character for pcr,scvcriug talents and an assiduous love of business." .< ! -. !■ >i. . IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) h A -i< % 1.0 I.I ^m IIIIIM ji- 1^0 will IL25 ill 1.4 1.6 V <^ A :% > ^M o\ ^^' ^f Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 iV iV ^' \\ \\ 6^ ■<> C/j ■Hi. i .ii'; •'• )-,{;; r1l -' i> s JP / • ■hi 1 r- .- - .in. i'. 24() LIFE OF WOLFE. very yoiinf]c, and nobody to direct or assist tlicm, — I mean no relation, for I bollcvc Lord Albemarle will do everything tliat is right and projjer. The son is an Ensign in the Third llegiment, and niy fi'iend and companion. You may l)elieve that if I can l)c of the least use to him I sha'n't neglect the opportunity.^" I have inquired after the Pretender, and can't hear -where he hides himself. There are people that believe him to be secreted in Poland with some of his mother's relations. J\ly friend Colonel D has got a regiment of Dragoons. There is a sort of interest that man has crept into, better and of more efficacy than service, worth, or honour. It would almost make one forswear open, fair behaviour as lumber, and the impediment to success and a marischal's staff; but, on the other hand, a man sleeps Avell that uses moderate exercise, and never dabbles in a dirty })0{)1. There are multitudes of extravagant customs that divert, but there is one that makes me laugh every day. The coachmen here drive with enor- mous black bear-skin nuiUs, tied round their waists, and that, Avhcn their horses go on, are turned behind. The people here nse nmbrellas in hot weather to defeiul them from the sun, and something of the same kind to secure them from snow and rain. I wonder a practice so useful is not introduced into England, where there arc such frequent showers, and espe- cially in the country, where they can be expanded without any inconvcniency.t * LadyJano, (lau<>Iiter of James, sixth Earl of Abcrcorn, was the se- cond wife of Lord Archibald, yomiifesl son of AViliiaiii, third Duke of llaiuiltoii. Lord An-hibald ilauiiltou, Avho was (Governor of Jamaica and of (h-eenwich Ilosjntal, died about a year after his wife, ajicd ei^lity-two. They had tlu'ee sons, of \\ horn the youngest was "NVil- ham, who became one of the King's etjueiTies, and M.P. for Midluirsl. He is better known as iSir AVilliani Hamilton, the British envoy at the eoTU't of Naples, whose wife was Nelson's Lady Hamilton. t A few years later, Jonas Hanway, in spite of the jeers and missiles of the mob, walked through London with an undn-elhv. "When it rained," says his biographer, " a smaW jnt rap J uie defended liisface and wig." Yet it was not until after Hanway had used one for thirty years that uml)rellas were generally carried by gentlefolks. Au old il riK* •iif'" 1752-53.] PARIS. i247 [in no thing Third iclicvc ct tlie ■where to be . My There and of ahnost nd the on the xcrcise, ;udes of t makes h enor- id that, ^)lo here he sun, |m snow cd into d espe- \vithout IS llic so- Duke of I.IamiUL'ti liie, ni^vd rasAVil- Lidlnivtft. I envoy iU missiU'S iWbcu it ace anil )Y thirty An old Tlic I'ieutcnant-Coloners next letter, which is iul- tlressed to his mother, is as follows : — Paris, 12 th December, 1752. Dear ]\Iadam, I sit down to write a letter to you which, if it docs not cntcrtaiu you, will convince you, at least, tliat I think of you, and remember your kindness. If I should imitate the prac- tice of this country, I should study how to talk, how to per- suade you that I am the thing I am not ; but my experience tells me that I shall succeed better by doing what is right than by a handsome speech of empty consequence. There are men that oidy desire to shine, and that had rather say a smart thing than do a great one; there are others — rare birds — that had rather be than seem to be. Of the first kind this country is a well-stored magazine; of the second, our own has some few examples. A Frenchman that makes his mistress laugh has no favour to ask of her ; he is at the top of his ambition. Our countrymen are too grave, too san- guine, too intent, to be satisfied with such success. I hear a piece of news from England that gives me, and all of us, great concern. We arc told that Lord Ilarcourt and the Bishop of Norwich have resigned. Could ]\Ir. Stone over- lady, now in her ninety-fourth year, informs me that in her yoxitli an umbrella was a great novelty in Dublin, and that one was oa])aeious enough to shelter half-a-dozen persons. It appears also from ' !Xotes and Queries ' that the first umbrella seen in Bristol — a huge red one — was imported from Leghorn in 1780. Before they were made ])ortable enough for ])edestrians, lunbrellas were kept in halls, to be held over ladies while stepping in or out of their sedans or eoaehes. As early as 1710, howevei", "the tucked up sempstress" and "good housewives" carried "oiled umbrellas." (Swift's 'City Shower;' Gay'; 'Trivia,' 1712.) The umbrella, in the literal sense of the word, /. c. thcj^jfl/'aw^, or " sun-shade," as Anieriea'ns call it, was noticed in Italy, a century before, by Fynes Moryson; and Corryat, in his 'Crudities,' s])eaks of leathern umhrcllacs as " things that minister shadow against tlie scorching heat of the sun ; " while the poet Drayton alludes to um- brellas M'hich — " Slieeld you in all sorts of weathers." ' \ lU' "< ! ' I 48 LIFE or wo LIE. t ' ■ I i ■. I iM; <■' . ' I i I'f I ( i^-^' tlirow two sucii men ? Could he, or anvbodv else, behave to them so as to oblige them to give up the most important charge in the kingdom ?* Somebody more subservient, per- haps, is to be placed ; somebody that will lead the pupils to proper purposes, and bring them to think that only one set of men are (it to govern the kingdom. J'cnrof/c, as the French say when they are provoked, that my trusty Lord Ilarcourt is deposed, lie had the general voice of the people for him, and nobody was thought so proper for that high otKce.f I told my uncic AVat that 1 liad lour masters every thiy, which he does not think sutlicient. llis concern for me goes so far as to make him wish that 1 had not time to eat or sleep. I have been forced to pacify his rage for improvement with assuring him that 1 can't bear above so mucii at a time. I'll charge you with an otiice of great trust. I'll give you power to speak to ]\lr. Fisher, or anybody else you can think of, to renew my credit, as far as it will go, about the middle of next month. It would be almost as ungracious to want credit in an enemy's country as it would be disagreeable to want money in a friend's. I never think upon this subject without recollecting of my good friend Fitz.,J and the cries of poor Arthur [Loftus], who is afraid he shall starve in my country-house if I stay long at Paris. Your nephew "Whetham is the best-tempered youth that I know, lie offers his respects to you. * E:ivl ilarcourt Avas ilie Governor, and Dr. Haytor, Bisliop of isorv, ii'li, till' tutor lo tlio Priiu-o of AValos aud IViiU'e Edward. "\Vali)ole tliu.s accuunts i'or llic dispute beiwoen tlioir lordships aud their deputies, iStoue and Scott: — "The Princess says tlie JJisho]) taught tlie bovs nothing ; he says lie was never sull'ered lo teacli them auj'lliing. The tirst occasion of uneasiness was the Bisliop's fuidiiig tlie Prince of Wales reading tlie ' Pevolulions of England,' written liy f'ere D'Orleans to vindicate James If." (Letter to Sir H. 31 ami, December 11, 1752.) t Lord Ilarcourt was afterwards sent as ambassador to demand tlie hand of the Princess Charlotte of Meclclenburg-Strelitz in niarriage for George FTT. lie was some time Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, and was accidentally drowned in a well in his own park at 2s'uneham in 1777. "l Probably Lord Fitzmaurice. 1752-53.] PARIS. 219 lvc m icplicw oilers shop of dwiivd. lips niKl 13isho|) I'll thrill lindiiig |ttini hy id til ilgC lor 1 WilS IlKl |l777. On the 2.:2nd December, Wolfe writes to liis father: — ■ I wish I couhl send a piece of tapestry from the Gobelins, or a pictnre from the Palais Royal, instead of a letter ; either wonld be a present worthy yonr reception, as either wonkl be matchless in theiv kind. I had the good fortinie to see the mannfactnre of tajicstry at a time when they showed it to an ambassador. Then it is that they produce all that invention and industry can contrive and {>xecnte. I Avas a iiood deal surprised to find that the principal director of that ingenious ■workmanship is a Scotchman."^ My friend Carlet )\\ sends me conjectures abont a suc- cessor to Lord Ilarcourt. I am sorry any such person is neces-sarv. because I think that high ollice was in fit hands before. It is melancholy that ni an affair of such trust and importance there shoidd be men so placed and so confided in that the leaders are in a manner suljordinatc to their inferiors. The French have their domestic trouble tof, as well as our- selves ; btit theirs are still of a more serious kind. The clergy and people are in opposite sentiments for the present, and it will require the exertion of very great authority to reconcile them to each other. The ecclesiastics have luduckily been the authors of almost all the mischief that has been done in J'An'ope and in America since the first introduction of Chris- tianity, and they do in some places continue their evil prac- tices. It is surprising that there are so few potentates in Europe that are able to keep them in any order, and the more surprising that the example of these few has no effect npon the rest, notwithstanding the visible difference between a well- governed body of clergy and the reverse. Paris is full of people; that is, all the company is come * The name of the Gobelins is derived from one Goblei, a dyer of Eheinis, who settled here in the reign of Francis I. In 1(5(57, M. Colbert converted the establishment into a Koyal manufactoiy, wherein about eight hundred artificers — painters, scuii)tors, goldsmiths, embroiderers, etc. — were engaged, and enjoyed certain valuable privileges. The cele- brated Le Brun was at one time the Dii-ector ; but I have not been able to find out the name of the person of whom Wolfe speaks. ', ' -■ '? #'r 250 LIFE OF AVOLFE. 1 ■-ilt^l * :. 7 . 1 ■ ? L- fl'''-''' in from tlio country, and an abundance of genteel persons of l)otli sexes are every day exposed to public view. The natives in general arc not handsome either in face or figure ; but then, they improve what they have. Tliey adorn themselves to more advantage, and a])pear with more outside lustre, than any other people, at least that I h-ivc seen or heard of. On January 2, 1753, Wolfe tells his mother: — I was yesterday at A'ersailles, a cold spectator of M'hat we commonly call splendour and magnificence. A multitude of men and women were assembled to bow and pay their compli- ments in the most submissive marnicr to a creature of their own species. I went through the different apartments with our Ambassador, who did me the honour to allow me to wait upon him, and saw him do his part very gracefully, well re- ceived by the Queen, the Dauphin, the Dauphiness, the Infanta, the Mesdames, the Secretary of State, and lastly by the ]Marquise de Pompadour, Avho seemed to distinguish him from the rest by her civilities and courtesy.^" All the cour- tiers, as in England, go to court upon the New Year's Day, and as they are more numerous here tha i there it makes a very fine show. The Duke of Richmond offered me a place in his coach, an honour that I could not refuse, especially as Lord Albemarle was so kind as to give me a room at his house, with invitation to sup with him. Lord Albemarle has proposed to present my cousin Whetham and me to the King, which I have no objection to but the fear of the expense of a new coat. However, as it comes from his lordship in so handsome a manner, I don't think it is to be rejected. This is the first time that I have been at Versailles, and luckilv there was an installation of a Knight of the Order of the Holy Ghost, and we were placed in such a manner in the King's Chapel by the master of the ceremonieis that no part of * The Queen, Marie Lescinska, and the Dauphiness were daughters of the rival kings of Poland — Stanishius and Augustus. The Infanta was the favourite daughter of Louis XX., who married Don Phihp, son of Elizaheth Farinese. i^ \[ i^'hi ons of latives ! ; but isclvcs ;, tliau hat \\G tiulc of 3ompli- )f their its with to wait rt'cU vc- Dss, the astly by ish him le cour- r's Day, naakes a a place jially as L at his arle has e King, pcnse of [p in so . This luckily of the in the part of laiiglitevs Infanta Pliilip, J 752-0;}.] PARIS. 251 the ceremony escaped us. The weather was so severe that it was impossible to sec the gardens, or to examine the buildings. tttftt«««»a Sir John INIordaunt did me the honour to write to me from Bath, where he is, or has been for his old rheumatic compUiint. lie touches lightly upon a certain sii/jjt ct in his comic stylo, and, Avith a jest upon the sex, wonders at my perseverance. I have answered his letter, and have given him to understand that as 1 did not mean to conceal anvthing from him, I had mentioned that afl'air to him, l)ut that I was extremely ocil pleased with my situation, and did not intend to be trouble- some. Tlie Duke of Richmond is to have a company in Lord llury's regiment ; he wants some skilful man to travel w ith him through the fortified towns of the Low Countries and into Lorraine. I have proposed my friend Carleton,^" mIioui Lord Albemarle approves of; but as things may take anotlier turu, it must not be mentioned. It is reported at Paris that the Pretender has changed his religion. AVc are too well governed in England to apprehend that or any other change. 1 believe he might as well keep his confessor.t An acquaint- ance of mine goes to England in a few days, and takes with him two black laced hoods for you, and a veslale for the neck, such as the Queen of Prance wears. The following paragraphs are extracted from a letter to the General on the 10th of January : — The Duke has consented to Carleton's coming abroad to attend the Duke of Richmond as a military preceptor in his * Caiitain Guy Carlcton, aftcrwai'ds tlio celebrated Lord Dorcliosler. t "Tlie YoiniiT Pretender Laving cliauged liis religion is again men- tioned in a letter from Amsterdam, dated JS^ovendjer 20, in the follow- ing terms : — ' Some people here tell, but with what view is not known, that several private accounts from Silesia make it susi)ected that the eldest son of tlie Pretender is there iiworjnifo ; and some of them insi- nuate that he has al)jured the Eomish religion, of Avhich, however, there is but little probability, unless he has a dispensation for so doing, as it would show him to be as bad a })olitieian as his father, his grand- lather, or the uncle of his father.' " (' Scots Magazine,' jN'ovcmber, 1752.) ', ' ■,» } , 1/1 It :j 252 1,1 FE OF WOT,FK, ■ T.!r:, ■ » ■; t !--^ tour through tlic fortified towus of the liow Couutrics. It Mill bo of singular use to tho youug man, and T hope of groat service to niv fi'ieud. Lord Falkland,* Mr. Dawucy.t AVhe- thaui, and uivsclf were introduced vesterdav to the King and the lloyal family, and lastly to ^Madame Pompadour and INIonsicur do St. Contest, the minister. They ^vere all very gracious as far as courtesies, bows, and smiles go, for the IJourbons seldom speak to anybody. Madame la ]Marquise entertained us at her toilette.^ ^Vc found her curling her hair. She is cxtremclv handsome, and, bv her conversation with the Ambassador and others that ^verc present, T judge she must have a great deal of Avit and understanding. Exclusive of Jjord Albemarle's being the English ambas- sador, T observe that at Versailles they pay a particular re- spect aud deference to his person, which is a proof that he is extremely in the King's good graces; aiul I should ^vouder if it Avas not so, considering how accomplished a man he is for Courts, aiul how particidarly calculated he seems to be for the French nation. I wish you both health, aud a happy New Year. "■ !:!(,,..' t .■^■. f - \ ^«' II: i- Mrs. Wolfe was displeased that hor son had not offei-ed liiniself for the military tutorship of the Didcc of Rich- mond. In a letter written on the 1 9th January, he acquits himself thus : — You have known me long enough to discover that I don't always prefer my own interest to that of my friends. I was * Luems Charles, sixth A'iscount Falkland. avIio liad ivcoiitlj mar- ried (lie relict of tlio Earl of Suflblk. He al'tei-wards eommauded the Britisli t'orees in Tobattcr you know her, the easier vou'll find excuses for me. Prav tell jMiss llarcn that I'm obliged to her for helping to convince you that at least my choice was a good one. A man may be greatly prepossessed in favour of a lady without bringing many people to be of his opinion. My amour has not been without its use. It has defended me against other women, introduced a great deal of pUllosuphy and tran([uillity as to all objects of our strongest atfeetions, and sometliing softened the disposition to severity and rigour that I had contracted in the camp, trained np as I was from my infancy to the con- clusion of the peace, in war and tumult. My exercises go on extremely well. ]).Ionsicur Fesian, the dancing-master, assures me that I nnike a surprising progress, but that my time will be too short to possess (as he calls it) the minuet to any great perfection ; however, he pretends to say that I shall dance not to be laughed at. I am on horseback everv morning at break of day, and do ' t \ '. 1 :'i 1- '!■ 254 MFK OF WOr.FK. ) .',; 1 I ■* ■il i ; ( t i I- I . 11^ Mi- ; . . ' • • i ■' 1 1- , {: iM. n ^l V • presume that, with the .'idvnntago of lorif? lof;-s and thi«,dis, I shall he able to sit a liorsc at a haiul-f>allop. Lastly, the feneiiij^-master declaiTs tne to have a very quick wrist, and no inconsiderable lun<"e, fVoni tlu? reasons aforesaid. 'IMie Ge- neral will explain the word lonifc, or luuj;e. T ])ronouucc the Freiu'h toii};,ue, and couseciuently read it, better than when 1 eanu; ; but in the capital of this , and that liis passion tor arms was I'ullv as scdiu'tivc^ as the nioro tcMuh-r one. An oppoi'tnnity wliich now oll'ered tor tho Jiofpiironicnt of unwonted [)r<)lessional experience; is therefore eagerly jumped at. 'I'he progress and se(piel of tli.e lu.atter will appear from the k'w remaining letters written in the Frencli capital. On the S.Ond of February the (jeneral is told : — Lord Alhomarlo was saying a fow days a^o that tlio French king proi)osos to oncanip a great part of his army early in tlio summer. Ilis lordshii) judged that it would ho agreeable to the Duke to have an ollicer of our troops sent to see what they were doing in their eami)s, and lu; did me the; honom' to say that lie thought it would he right iu mo to propose my- self, not asking it as a favour, but ready to obey the Duke's command. The proposal agreed too well with my disposition to bo neglected, and I writ immediately to Lord Bury to offer myself for the service, and told my Lord xVlbcmarlc that the least hint from him would have more weigiit than all that I should 1)0 able to say. Whether the project takes place or not, it may not be amiss to bo mentioned upon such an ocea- sioi> hy th(> A'rib;.i.-s;i!l'ji- at Pari;-*. Tlu* I'l'dicli arc to have tinvc or Ibiir ditterout camps; the Austriaus and Prussians will probaldy assemble some corps, so that I may, before the end of the summer, hrivo seen half the armies in Europe at least, and that, 1 believe, at a very little expense. Lord Albemarle nnist givi; me lett^'Ts to the eommaudin's if the Duke aeec])ts my oif; r, but, to tell tlie truth, I suspect his lloyal Highness will ii'v^t. s I , < 1 ■ I i ■ i: -I I ;i •V,V«j«^'*>ifii^'-#iH*' ^, \.j:_'^^.,,,y^^^ '■Mm»f^^^^ ••• 'X' 258 LIFE OF WOJ.FE. If i '■V if He . I i > i f fij. ■■ To his iiiotlicr, lie writes on the 1st of March : — If the air of Blacklicath lias been as sharp as that of Paris, I don't ■wonder at your comphiints, nor that you give it as a reason for not uiitiug. "We had a little interval of mild •weather, and now the cold is returned more dangerously, though less severe. They have little spring in this country ; from cold and very wet it suddeidy changes to excessive heat. AVhat a melancholy account you give of Mrs. A , her un- happy fanaticism preying upon weak nervea. A conscience at rest and free from guilt, with a tolerable portion of health, and moderate circumstances, are the utmost bounds of our felicity. If we would 1)0 happy here below, these arc the objects, and no further J ?'efinemcnts in religion, or any pursuit of exquisite pleasures, throw us quite out of the road of peace. AVhetham has gone into Flaiulcrs; from thence he goes into Holland, back to Calais, and so home. AVhat he Mill do with himself till he is thirty years of age, or till he marries, I am at a loss to guess. It is a misfortune not to have an employment or profession of some kind or other to fill up the intervals of our time. To live merely for the sake of eating, driidving, etc., without the prospect of any business, or of being useful, is, in my mind, a heavy condition. I was in- vited to a ball last night, where I saw some of the best com- pany in Paris, and some of the handsomest women. At this season of the year the people of the fn'st condition give balls by turns, and do it in a very genteel manner. Instead of tea and coffee they give ice, avfjcdt, lemonade, oranges, and sweet- meats, and in the morning (commonly by daylight) they have all sorts of cold meats. I never stay to sec them eat, though, I believe, it would not be the least diverting part of the enter- tainment, for the ladies are well bred, delicate, and genteel. They are, nevertheless, a little inclined to gluttony, and are troubled with frequent indigestions. The women at these balls wear a sort of domino, or rather gown made of that kind of light silk, slightly trimmed, with sleeves of a very particular make, falling near a yard behind them from the elbows. Their hair is either conToed behind, with little curls 17.i^-;i:;.] PARIS. 251) Paris, c it as f mild rously, luiitry ; 'c licat. lier \m- icncc at Itli, and felicity, cts, and ;xquisitc lie goes e Avill do lan-ics, I have an 11 up the if catiii or of was lu- jst eom- At this nve l)alls [u\ of tea id swect- icy liave tliowgli enter. lie genteel. and are lat these of that If a very from the ttle CUV l^ before-, or their lieads are all over curls, and aliundanee of diamonds jiboiit their lieads and necks, Thev thiiice i>enteellv, and 1 tiiink ihcir conntry-dances preferable to ours; first, because there is a greater variety of fignre and step, more easy (lancing, and they are not so tedious. They dance four couples at a time and succeed each other, then partners change evrry dnncc. Some of the men are prettily-tnrncd, and n;ovc ctisily and gracefully. They have in general good faces and fine hair, but they have generally bad limbs, and are ill-shaped. I speak of the nol)ility and those that are horn or <'Oinmouly live in Paris, for in the provinces remote from the capital men are of a better figure. The ijtut tliat succeeds the Carnival puts an end to till these ))l'^usvu'es^ tlic delight and occupation of the younger people of Paris. Their thoughts are entirely employed upon the figure tliey are to make in public, their ec^uipnges and dress; and their entertainments within consist of luxurious suppers ond i1ce]> play. Some of them are elegant cp.ough to be pleaswi with music, and they all sing well. A few there are — a very small number — that read and think. I begin to be tired of Paris. The English are not favourites here; they can't hel[) looking upon us as enemies, and I believe they are riglit. T'le host and ablest men amongst them respect the nation, admire the (jovernment, and think we are the only men in j^'urojie that act like men. This party must be very ineonsideiable, and verv secret. I forgot to tell von for- merly that the lacvid handkerchief that I bought did not go with the lioocl>3 hid you'll have it. Notwitlisl;ind'!!<;?: the ambassador's interest, Wolfe was denied |)crinissioii to visit the Continental camps. The sclicme evidently was opposed by Lord Bury, who did not wish hiiii to veuuiin away longer from his regi- ment. It !^ecms also to have been discountenanced by the General and i\lrs. Wolfe, on the score of expense, lie writes to his ["utber on the 9tli of jMarcli : — s -2 I . \\ ■ \ ■ -^ i'. !2()0 LIFE OF WOLFE. ra-. h- f ' (ih i ti: M.i ' Lord Bury surprised mc a few days ago uith II.II.TI. tlic Duke's orders to return to Eiislaud even before luv leave of absence exi)ires. I tbink I told you tliat I asked and begged to continue here until tbe 20tb of April ; tbis is refused^ and I am to basteu bonic. I dare not disobey openly, but I will venture as jar as a sligbt reprimand. Tbere's an inconceiv- able obstinacy in tbis way of proceeding, a minute exactness tbat is quite unnecessary and excessively disagreeable. Every- body knows bow dilUcult it is to get out of England, and yet tbey won't allow us to make use of tbe opportunity tbat od'ers, and tbat perbaps can never come again. Twenty days or a montb to mc at tbis time is inestimable, tbe season and situa- tion of my affairs considered. A ]Ma)or and an Adjutant (if tlie Colonel is to be indulged bimself) arc not to be consi- dered as equal to tbe great task of exercising, in our frivolous wav, a battalion or two of soldiers ! — men wbose duty and business it is, and wbo must know tbat. " His Royal Iligli- ness expects and orders mo to tell you to be witb tbe regi- ment bv tbe time tbev assemble. '^ Tbcsc are tbe terms of bis lordsbip's letter, and be goes on to inform me tbat be be- lieves tbe companies vill be collected towards tbe latter end of tbis raontb. Notwitbstanding tbei>e bints, 1 sba'n't be in England before tbe 7th or 8tli of April, and tbe only one tbing tbat gives mc any satisfaction or reconciles it to mc is, tbat 1 sball bave tbe pleasure of i)aying my duty to you and to my motber; and tbougli tbe time tbat 1 shall be witb you Avill be very sbort, tbose few days will make me some amends for tbe many disagrc(;al)le ones tbat are to follow. Wolfe writes ficjain, on tbe l;3tb, statir.rr tbat be bas Iiad a second letter from Lord l^ury, wbicb made it plain tbat be must immediately return to Scotland, as tbe Major bas bad a fit of ajjoplexy. Had be known that before, be would not bave asked for additional leave of absence, nor proposed visiting tbe foreign camps. He tberefore prepares for liis journey, and liopes to call at .i! i I7:y2-y^.] PARIS. iJI) [. the ivc of 1, and 1 will uceiv- ctuess ivcvy- ul yet oders, s or a . sitiia- iaut (if cousi- ivolous tty ami I \ligli- ic rc<^i- M'lns of lie be- tel' end 't l)e iu ily one |) luc is, 'on and til vou amends lie lins t plain las tbo :n that 3avc of lie I cull at Blacklieatli in ten or twelve days. But before he starts, a letter from his mother calls forth a reply, on the 2:2m\ of j\Iarch : — Dear !Madam, I beg you to remember how the undertaking I sjioke of was proporscd, and ])y whom ; whctlior it was in my power to refuse it as it was ofl'ered, supposing that I had not liki d the projcet. I mentioned to yon that the ambassador w;is to have given mc letters for tlie commanders to our ministers in Germany, and my business was only to see if tlicre was anything new amongst them, and therefore tliere was no risk. You inav believe I should never undertake anvlhing of tiiis kind if there was reason to apprehend what my father seems to tliink,'^ nor would I throw away my time if it could be of no manner of use. As to the article of expense, I proposed to do it upon my pay, because I could not in reason re(piirc more than has been already done for me. I should have been oftener at ]\Iadame Ilarcn's if lu>r grand-daughter's illness had not shut her door. She is the most agreeable lady of fourscore that I have ever met. It is very polite of her to speak handsomely of me, because it is al- most impossible to bo less known to her than I am. But you know how little it costs the Freiich to be civil. ^ly letters from Scotland came to rac. The extraordinary direction covered a petition from a very good woman, who desires me to write to a friend in her favoiu\ The women of the rcgi- incnt take it into their heads to write to me sometimes, and their letters are reallv curious. I ha\ a collection of them somewhere that would make you laugh. * It would appear that tlic General feared "Wolfe might be induced to enter the Prussian .service. • f I I Y'\ t . ,1V 1 ' •• i V " . 2(),-2 ' ('>:'• (JIIAPTKR XII. ( ; LASG O W.— IMLVDTNC i . AlMML — NOVEMIIEI?, 17o3. I I ' I .,1 1* \>'r:;i '. ■ I'. ■''I. ; ■^1. 1'' \\'oi,FK, altlioiigli ]i!^ liad not added to Ids professional kiK)\vlv'di>:o l)y lii.s six ivioiitlis' residence in Paris, by fViendlv inlcrconrsc with forei^'ners G;ained more en- larged views, and o])tained tliat familiarity with tlu; French lanu'nau'e which he afterwards tnrned to o'ood account. Long ei'c any inilitary school was established in England, at a time, too, when bulldog courage in the field, expertness in a few evolutions at a review, and the slavish observance of regimental duties, were the highest (pialifications of a British officer in the eyes of the Commander-in-chief, he aspired to the science as well as the practice of his })rofession. It is no wonder, then, that being disappointed in his expectation of visiting the Continental encampments, he should not be in the best of humours when, after spending three or four days at 131ackheatli, he had returned to Glasgow, where his re- giment was again quartered ; and the strange condition in which lie found the corps, together with the tortures of his journey, were not calculated to allay his vexation. lie writes to his father on the 2.2nd of Api'il : — 1^:5.] f i Tk\ S C; W . — 11 K A D I N G . 263 ', aiul c tlu; es of s well then, "• tbc best ys at lis rc- litioii tui'cs tion. n It is almost impossible to sufFcr more than I have done upon the road, and quite impossible to find a rc^'imont in more mclancholv cireumstances than we are. OfTiecr? ruined, impoverished, desperate, and without hopes of preferment ; tlie widow of our late ^NTajor and her daiij^bter in tears ; his situation before his deatli, and the eflccts it had upon the corps, with the tragical end of the nnliappy man in every- body's mouth ; an ensign struck speechless with the palsy, and another that falls down in the most violent convulsions. He Avas seized with one the first niglit I came to the regiment (after supper), that so astonished and aHcctcd all that were present, that it is not to be described. I should have fallen upon the floor and fainted, had not one of the oiliccrs suj)- ported me, and called for immediate relief; and this, as well as I can remember, for the first time in my life. Some of our people spit 1)lood, and others are begging to sell before they arc quite uiulone ; and my friend Ben will probably bo in jail in a fortnight. In this situation we are, with a mar- tinet and parade major to teach us the manual exercise with the time of the First Ilegiment. To leave this unpleasant subject for one that concerns me much less. I must tell you that I was beat to pieces in the new close po;>t-chai;;e.s ; machines that arc purposely con- structed to torture the unhappy carcases that arc placed in them."^ I was at length forced to have recourse to post- horses; and as they had been accustomed to wear harness, and to be su])ported by stronger powers th;i i my arms, I was every minute in danger, and fell twice, at the hazard of my neck. Add to this that the movements of these brutes were so rude, that I bled to the saddle. In short, it is not possible to travel more disagreeal)ly, nor enter into a more unpleasing task than the present ; and this, as you may believe, not at all at my ease, without horses, or other means to dissipate or divert. * Doctor Carlj'lo, descvihinc; a journey to London in 175S, says : — " It is to be noted that we could get no four-wheeled chaise till we came to Durham, those convej^ancos being then only in their infancy ; the two-wheeled dose chaise, which had been used for some time, and was called an Italian chaise, having been foimd very inconvenient." (Autobiography, p. 381.) '< ' I" 2G-1. I.irH Ol' WOLl'E. K,!' I fsavv my undo Rrad. in Yovksliirc ; lie tells mo lie writ to my mother, l)iit never received lui answer from her. lie was far from heinj^ well when I saw him. I forj;ot to ask for franks of the senators of my ae([naintance, so that yon mnst ])ay more for my letters, hy far, than they are worth. We march out of this dark and dismal eonntry earh' in Au- gust. By tliat time I imagine that amhition, and the desire to please, will Ijc utterly extinguished and lost from amongst us. I did not know, till 1 eame here, that his jMajesty sent his thanks in particular to Lord Bury's regiment for their he- haviour in the Highlands; and immediately, I mean a month or two, or three perhaps^ ]Major ^Vilkinson steps in ! r m', A: r ■ 1/aJ. i: s If I Mil I i I \\\ V" ' On the 13th of May he tells his iiioflier : — AVc arc all sick, ofliccrs and soldiers. I am amongst the hest, and not quite well. In two days we lost the skin off our faces, and the third were shivering in great coats. Such are the hounties that Heaven has bestowed Ti[)on this people, and such the blessings of a northern latitude. Mv cousin GoUlsmith has sent me the finest young pointer that ever was seen ; he eclipses Workie, and outdoes all. He sent me a fishing-rod and wheel at the same time, of his own workman- ship, that are inestimable. This, with a salmon-rod from my unele Wilt, your ilies, and my own guns, puts me in a condition to undertake the Highland sport in June, and to adventure niysclf amongst moiuitains, hdvcs, and wildest wastes. It would take time to relate the varict}'^ of our amusements here ; hut my share of the entertainments might be shortly told. We have plays ; we have concerts ; "we have balls, public and private ; with dinners and suppers of the most execrable food upon earth, and wine that approaches to poison."^ The men drink till they are excessively drunk. The ladies are cold to everything but a bagpipe ; — I wrong them, there is not one that does not melt away at the sound of an estate ; there's the weak side of this soft sex. I have bought a horse for J-^7, a horse that was never meant to move under the dig- * See Dr. Somervillc's ' Lite aud Times,' p. ;K)1. cmeiits liovtly |)ublic :ci'ublo The ics arc ~icvc i:s }statc ; horso lie diii- 1M3.] GLASGOW KEAUIXG. 505 iiity of a commamlcr of an old l('\A- lady, wlio died at a n'roat a^o about twt'iity-livc years ajj;o [circa 1S;}()], recollected (|uito well liaviiiij; seen Wolfe on one occasiuu a1 L"a])elri<; [Mr. Barclay's, ten miles from (ilas^ow], wliere slie was slayiii;jf wlieii a jfirl. lie rode up the avenue, to i)ay a visit, on a very s])irite(l iLjrey cliar.) t Walpole relates some curious stories of this " extraordinarj^ per- son" : — " Your relation. Guise," he writes to Manu (July 7, 1712), " is arrived from Carthagena madder than ever. As he was marching up to one of the forts, all his men deserted liim ; his lieutenant advised him to retire ; he replied, he had never turned his back yet, and would not now, and stood all the fire. AVhen the pelicans were flying over liis head, he cried out, ' What would Chloe [the Duke of ^.'ewcastle's cook] give for some of these to make a pelican pie ! ' When lie is brave enough to perform such actions as are really almost incredible, what a pity it is that he should for ever persist in saying things that are totally so ! " Again (Oct. (5, 1751), — "1 have heard Guise allirni that the colliers at Newcastle feed their children with firc-shovcls ! " j:i» -:()() TJIK f)l' \VOI,FK. ^*!-.' .'.; Y...U i» ' !i: ' t T ', ! I<.i'. m in tlic path of promotinn. T wish you l)otli licultli, wliicli is hotter thiin riches; l)ut one ivuiv ahnost as well ho sick as poor. To his father he writes, on the 24th of ^lay : — I hogin to have an inconccivahlo aversion to ^^ riting, and to all husiness that I am not ahsotutcly forced upon, and y(>t now and then a spark hreaks out through the surrounding ohstacles, hut is ahnost smothered in the hirth. I have hardly passion enough of any kind to find present pleasure or feed future hope, and scarce activity to preserve my health. The love of a quiet life, I helicve, is an inheritance which is likely to strengthen -with my years ; that, and the prospect your example gives me, — tliat a man may serve long and Avell to very little pur[)0sc, and make a sacrifice of all his days to a shadow, — seems to help my indiU'erence, and to incline me to get off quietly and hetimes to the edge of the foi'cst. If a man tries on to forty and something more, I think he does very handsomely ; and thcUj not finding it to answer, he mav make his how and retire. Our sicklv infirm General could not ])rocced to review the corps in the north. He came hack to Edinhurgh from Perth, and he luis since been in extreme danger. People that sec him think ho is always a- dying, and yet the good-natured old man struggles with all and still holds out; hut this mortal combat can't he for long. Your regiment is, I hear, upon its march to Fort George. That duty has some inconvenience, particularly to the olH- ccrs, but it is of great use to the men, and keeps them healthy. I dined a few days ago with the famous Duchess of Hamil- ton. They live about ten miles from Glasgow, and the Duke is civil to us. The lady has lost nothing of her bloom and beauty^ is very well behaved, supports her dignity with toler- able ease to herself, and seems to be justly sensible of her good fortune.* After our detachments are sent out, I pro- * Elizabeth, daughter of John Gimuiug, Esq., of Castle Coote, Ire- land, and sister to tlie Countess of Coventry. She married tlie Duke ol' Hamilton on the 1 llli of February, 1752, and at the time of Wolfe's ^1-. ii •f"^ / •' ^'■] fU,.\sr.ow •RKADIXfi. 2()7 >s U Til ays a- ill and long, rcorgc. olH- :;altliy. Hamil- Duke and tolcr- |of her pro- lie, Iro- )ukc oi' m e s pose to go for a r nth to tlic Highlands. Our pcopU' work n[)on the side ot Jjoch Lomond, in Argylcshiro, wlicrc tho countrv is hcautifuUv roii^h and wild. Therij's plenty of game, and tho rivers are full of fish. I intend to establish myself at tho uiipcr end of the lake, and live upon milk and butter, as the inhabitants do. In ji letter to Mrs. \\'oirc, oii the 1st (d June, her son writes : — Your house and your garden a)id ycmr park (I eall it yours, as you have tho possession of it) niu:-.t he vastly pleasant at this time of the year. Xitnve i)uts on her l)cst a[)[)earanec at this season, nnd eM'iy produetion of the earth is now in the highest beauty. The beasts have their new coats, and the l)ii'ds their fnie feathers; and even onr species, for whose jileasurc all these seem to have b(H>n intended, are properly disposed for the enjoyment of them. "Without doubt you Avalk a good deal in the fresh air, and taste tlie blessings that a bounteous ?ilaker has bestowed. Happy those that have justice and piety enough to acknowledge and to thank the lil)eral hand that gives tliem ! T have luul frt'([nent occasion to mention to von the many chanii'es of weather wc are sub- ject to in this country, because I have frecpicntly snO'ered by them. At ]n'esent I don't complain ; I amassed such a store visit was in tlio twcntiotli j'cav of licr ago. Wal]iolc, in a letter to Sir H. Maiui (May 13, 1752), says : " Tlie Gunnings are gone to their several castles, and one liears no more of them, exeejjt that sucli crowds floek to see the Ducliess of Hamilton pass, that 700 people sat up all nit^lit in and about an inn in Yorksliire to see Iier get into her iiosteliaisc next morning." It is a ])ity Wolfe does not describe liis eiitcrtainmcnt at Hamilton Palace. "Waljjole, wliosc descriptions of characters are generally exagejerated, writes again to Mann (October 28, 1752) : — " Duke Hamilton is the absti'act of Scotcli jiride ; he and the Duchess at their own house walk in to dinner before their company, sit together at the upper end of tlie table, eat off tlie same plate, and drink to no- body beneath the ranlc of earl." The old palace close to the town of Hamilton still stands, but a fine modern stnu-ture was added to it about f(jrty years ago. It was not an hour's ride for Wolfe from Glasgow. ■ r --«i 208 T-iir, 01' wor.FK rr .1 ■; ^ h 1 M" .' / ■ i ■r IV J I l;-;l,\' of lioaltli ill France tliat I hope it will last (luring our stay here, though I am persuaded the consiiniptioii will he very considerahle. On tlic 25111, thu Liouteiiant-Cohjucl writes from the " Caiiil) of Inver(k)iig'his :" * — We are cneaniped witli five e()in|)aines of the refjinicut that arc working on the roads. It will Ije late in August hefore they return to (Jilasgow, and conse(iuently we can't hegin our march until Sei)tein))er. Though we are not much above twenty miles from the Low Countries, yet I think this i)art of the Highlands is as wild as any that I have seen. We are upou the side of a great lake, bordered round with exceeding high mountains, whose tops are, for the most part, barren, — either bog or rock ; but at the first of these hills there is a good deal of wood, some grass, and very little corn. A man in health might find a good deal of entertainment in fair weather, pro- vided he has strength to climb up the mountains, and has keenness to pursue the game they produce. It has been said that the road, as well as the legion, made the Romans masters of the world ;* and it is equally true that military roads opened the way for the civilization of the Highlands. After the last rebellion. Government saw the propriety of enlarging upon Genei'al AV^ade's scheme, and with this object in view an en- campment was formed near Fort Augustus in 1747. * Invordoufrlas is situated on the west side oP Loch Lomond, in Dumbartonshire, nearly in tlie centre of the lino of the Loeli. A small gorge, ealleJ G'fe/douglas, opens upon the Avostern shore of Loch Lo- mond, at nearly right angles, and through tliis glen runs a little stream, the " water of Douglas," which, like the Snaid, a\ here it enters the Loch, gives the name 7»rf-r(?ouglas to a district. Tlie word is xisiially pronounced, and the place known, as Inveruglas, the consonant d being silent. Inveruglas is nearly opposite Ben Lomond, and tlio aspect of the lofty mountain across the Loch is vex'y grand. t Smiles's ' Lives of the Engineers.' .Ul nr stay jc very oin the ir:.;'..] (il.ASdOW .— I{K.\I)IN(; '2G[) 2nt tliat t brfoiH! '"•in our 3 twenty t of tlie ire upon ng lii^li — either ;ood (leal n health icr, pro- and has legion, ul it is for the bellion, Gciicnil an cu- 1747. |)mond, ill A suuill iLocli Lo- a little it enters word is :'oiisonant |, and tlio Lieiitcnant-GcMU'i'iii Watson, who was appointed to super- intend the works, having conceived the i(km of a map of Scotland, General Roy was ordered to make the preli- minary survey; and under these ofKeers parties of sol- diers, drafted from the several cor^js, continued to work upon the roads and bridges for many years. It was usual, when they had eomph;ted their sununer's task, for the men to have a jolliHeation in the ]']nglish fashion, — ■ eating, drinking, racing, wrestling, etc., — and a tablet was erected by the wayside recording the date and name of the regiment. One of these tablets, sup)iosed to have been put up by the men under Wolfe, in !7')8, was piUled down years ago by a farmer at Ardvoirlicli, and transformed into a hearthstone. Another, on the road near Tynaclach, Arrochar, bore the mark of the ;20lh Re- giment, but neither the year nor the name of the com- nunnlinu; uflicer can be ascertained.* Foiu' dnys later, in reply to a lecture of his motlier's upon his warmth of temper, Wolfe writes from Glas- gow : — I think I um not positively blind to my own infirmities, * ]\rr. Bufhanan, tliroujfli the ' Glasgow Herald,' lias inquired Mlu'tlier any lal)let set up by llie men nnder Woll'e is still preserved, and has also, throngli ]\lr. Irving, the historian of ])unil)artonshire, coniniunieated with tlie ])resont road snrvi'yors, l)nt, notwithstanding nuuierons replies, Avithont sati^faetory residt. A tahlct of eonipara- tively recent date bears the inscrijjtion, — " Eest and be tlianlifid. jMilitar}^ road repaired by tlie trtli I'egt. 1"(')S. Transferred to Coimnrs. for Ji. E. &. B. in tlie year ISI l." After the Iligldand roads and bridges were oonipleted, they Avere placed under the charge of connnissioners, who have been superseded by a recent Act of Parlia- ment; and many of the roads will soon be snpei'seded by railways, fur the last of the mail-coaches departed from Inverness m SejHembcr, 18(;3. t : 1 '« ' 1 - '. !■■■ I 2/0 MIT. or woi.ir.. » . I i , \\:\-- i Uii W M ■ < l' Ci> T 1 but tliiit T ol'toiicr ])prc(MV(; my defects tlian T \\',\\i\ \to\\vx to correct or even to disj-iiisc! tlu'iii ; jiiid tlieiH! arc times {iiid particular situations iu \ 'lich people iwv. apter to lose that l)()\ver tliau at otluTs. I believe we are so couijxjuuded of j>()od and l)ad that accidents easily iueliue the; balance on cither side, and 1 am sure that none of us, even tlu; most virtuous, are entirely free; I'rom faults, though some have the art to hide them. That warmth of tcnn)i'r, which you so justly censure when it breaks out impi'operly, is what 1 depend upon to sup[)ort me against the little attacks of my brethreu and coteini)orarieSj and that will fuul the way to a j^'lorious, or at least a firm and manly end when I am of no further use to my friends or country, or when I can ))e serviceable by oU'eriiiij: mv life for either. Nobody has perhaps nu)re reason to be satisfied with his station and success iu the world than myself, uobodv can have better parents, and I have hitlu'rto never wanted iVicnds ; i)ut hapi)incss, or ease, which is all we can pretend to, lies in the mind or nciwherc. \ man must think himself iso or iuuigiuc it, or it cannot bo; it is not circumstances, advance- ment, fortune, or good relations and I'aithful friends that create it, 'tis the t(>in[){M-, or truly the Ibrco of overcoming oh<; or more of the hading passions that otherwise nnist disturb us. These passions seem to be in our iirst com[)o.sitiou or in nature, and the remedy, as you observe, in reason. But this oi'teu fails, at least iu our younger days. Those tcmpc rs are very ticklish that may undergo a cousiderahle change l)y any alteration of air, diet, or exercise, and this I often experience. It is nu)st true that no one has a better chiini to my care and esteem than yourself, and uo person is more truly the object of it; but as you have becu iiuUdgent and kind bitherto in everything that you believed for mv advantage, so now your indulgence must extend to overlook, or forgive at least, those defects that arc visibly in the blood, and hard at this time of life to overcome. And if you think I have any good qualities, they may be set in opposition to the bad ones, and that is Avhat our feeble condition here seems iu iustice to recpi U'C. ir:.;5 ] (iLASliOW III, \l)l\'(i. ti7I liiis •s ;>rc! ;uiy •neo. euro V tlio icrto now e;ist, this good and '0 to Oil llu.' 7tli of August, Wolfe; writes to his father from the "north-west si(h' of fioch Loinoiul :" — Thouj^h tliere have Ijccn ^I'cat pains taken to put tlio rc^ji- nient into orch'r, vet for tsNo reasons we shall nial lint a very indillerent appearance \vh(>n hi?< Koyal lii^lincss reviews us. The lirst is, that our (lothcs arc \ i>tly damaged l)y the work liere and l)y lonj? wear; and the otiier, that Lord l?iny would liave ehani^ed our exercise from very (|uiek to \('ry slow, so that at i)re8ent, in attempting to conform to his lord- slii[)'s directions, we are hetween the two, and can neither do one nor the other as thev ouj^ht to he done. All the soldiers know that it is not very nuiterial, hut some of thos(> that will he present at our review may have other notions. These arc mutters that •'ive nic as little concern as anvbodv. If a man CD * » does his duty to the best of Ids iudument and ahilitv, tho tiionjihts and rellectiouH that ;n'isi! from so doing are, in my opiiuou, suHicient- snt'sfix'tion. I \\:\vc been conlined ever !siiu;e my coming t(i this \)\i)cc to within tlu' last few d;ivs, and now that I am al)le to go about the bad weather keeps me close. It is strange that neither temperance nor (^erciso can urescrve me in auv tolcralde healtli in tins unlViendlv climate. The moisture of this air ovcrnuitelies all tlie pre- cautions that T can take to resist iis bad elU'cts, and yet we have had a finer season in Scotlautl than has been known for many years. The Lieuteuant-Colohcl rctunu'd to Ghisgow on the I'ttli of August, and two dav.-; later wi-ote as follows t(j hib niotlicr; — I d(>ferrcd answering?: your \e.tixtrcmely agreeable and pleasant but for two or three interfering accidents. This mixture of good and evil waits upon us from our introduction •< ^ ; , II ■V'l '^Hmsamt ,^ 1 • .^^ I 272 LIFE OF WOLFE. into life to the latest hour ; the easiest arc those who have no violent pursuits, for they arc seldom disappointed. The loss of my poor facetious friend Loftns grieves me ; he was pre- paring to make me a visit just before he went oft'.''^' Since T came here I learned the death of our good General. f Lord Cathcart has made a judicious choice, and ]Miss Hamilton has a fair prospect of happiness with a man of his worth and honour. J There arc very few young ladies that I have met with who, in my opinion, deserve better than she does. If I had not seen Miss LaMson, I would have probably been in love with Miss Hamilton. I can't say the lady would have had a great conquest to boast of, but speak of it as a proof of my good taste. Ji 'A I' 9 ]~ V\] il'' 'Tis an unpleasant thing to be surrounded, as you are, by such numbers of villains ; whatever they do without-doors, it is to be hoped they respect the insides of houses. There must be some strange neglect in the magistrates and officers of justice in the county, or these robbers would not range through it in this manner with impunity. 1 am surprised that in the counties near London they don't establish a company of light horse to guard the public roads or pursue these vermin. They need not be military, but people hired for that purpose, M'ith good pay, and cuLircly und(U' the sheriff's directions. • * Arthur Loftiis, the lato I\Injor of General "Wolfe's regiment, seeoiul son of Dudley Loflus, ]']s([., of ivillyan, eo. Meatli, died of fever ou the 31st of July, at I\n't Augustus. t Lieutenant-GeiuM-al George Churchill, Commander of the Forces in Scotland, died at 8nu'iton House, near Dalkeith, on the iDtli of August. J Charles, ninth J^ord Cathcart, m ho succeeded to the title on the death of his father, at Dominica, in 1"1(), married (July, r/'53) Jane, eldest daughtcrof Lord Archii)ald Hamilton, and soon after was electi'd one of the Eepresentative Peers of Scotland. He rose to the rank oi" j\rajor-C;enerai. was sometime Adjutant-General of iS'ortli Britain, and died in 1770. Lord (Jrey de Euthyn, second Eai'l of Sussex, and l.oivl Cathcart, were the two noble hostages who. agreeably to one of tlie terms of the treaty of Aixda-Chapelle, re.:ided in Taris until tiie I'e- sloration of Cape Ihi'ton to France. 1753.] GLASGOW. RKADING. )Hl^ [ivc no le loss IS prc- )incc T Lord on has th and ve met . If I )ccn in d have roof of arc, by loors, it There ilicers of through t in the of light vermin. )iirpose, cctions. scooml ,'!• ou llic •ovces 111 An,-;-ust. on tUo 3) ;iiu\ elLH'U'C rank o !iin. air. ■ IR of the till" re- There are abundance of officers that would be glad of sncli employment, and proper men, if they pay 'em well, might easily bo found.^ They have what they call mnrechaussee in France to protect travellers, and neoplc travel there in great security. t Election.s are the great business all over the island, and the competitors are struggling, not, I am afraid, for the public good, but for their private interest and advantage. The Par- liament Ifouse is now the seat of profit, and people generally seek a place there as they would an income. AVc have every- thing to fear from these general self-interested views, but one must hope that these very men who are so sanguine for them- selves will pay some regard to their posterity, and leave things at least in as good a condition as they find them. In his last letter from Scothind, dated the 8th of Sep- tember, AYolfe informs his father: — The first division of our regiment marched out of town this morning, and I stay behind it one day to finish my business and to write letters. I have got myself tolerably well mounted upon a horse of poor Loftus's. Donnellan had bought him at the auction, but resigned him to me, knowing my necessity. I am glad to find that the promotion is gone in your regi- * Tins is not (lie only measure for the jnililie jjood anticipated by "Wolfe. It was jiot luitil some years afterwards that the germ of a nietroi)olitaii ])olice was established by Sir John Fielding. In iNil), one hundred foot patrols perambulated the environs for a distance of two or three miles, and forty horsemen went from ten to fifteen miles on the roads leading from London. Both of these bodies Avere under the jurisdiction of the chief magistrate of Bow Street. (Eees's C'ycl.) The horse patrol, then nimd)ering seventy-six men, were placed under commissioners by Act 6 i& 7 ^Vill. IV. cap. ot). (' Enc3-cloptedia Bri- tannica,' 1S12.) t " Maillart dit ; 'Qu'on Lyonnois ct dans les paj's cireonvoisins, les terres sont chargees d'une certaine redevance, en espece ou en argent, nommee mareclmusst'e, laquellc etoit originairement payee aux nnire- chaux de.s jirinces, en consideration do ce que ces olliciers defeniloient les penples, tant en guerre qu'en paix.' " (' Kncyclopedie M«.'lhodi(pu',' Paris, 1785.) ■ ! '* V. 27 1. T.iri; OF WOLI'K. •■!• ' , < ».': mm Ij-il f I I. I! ■ If^l incnt, and that ]\Ir. Sorr(>tai'v-of-Wai" has consented to he civil to you upon tliis occasion. Your demands upon them arc so just and moderate, tliat you may very well expect good manners, at least ; a person that docs not ask favours has u right to fair speech."^' I am sorry that Lord Cathcart's affairs require so much at- tention that he must necessarily quit; he is an ofKccr of such reputation that the army loses considerably by his resigna- tion. I hope, however, that he Avill preserve his rank amongst us, and that I shall, some day or other, have the honour to serve under him. A\'e arc so long absent, and removed to so great a distance, that I am almost surprised to hear that any- body is at the least trouble to inquire about me, especially a Paris acquaintance. I am particularly obliged to Stanhope, because his acquaintance is so extensive that I might expect to be lost in the crowd. He is a lively, civil little man, and has a great store of learning and knowledge. I beg my com- pliments to him. From time to time you shall hear of our progress. With the expiration of his service in Scotland, Wolfe may be said to have finished the second phase of his niiJitary career. Althongb not yet seven-and-tvventy, he had been engaged in the field during seven years of war, and had commanded a regiment for five years in a conntry recovering ont of a state of anarchy, so as to call forth the King's approbation, ar,d win the gratefid leniendjrance of the people. English soldiers have done some good for Scotland * Captain !Xelioiniali Duiinellau succeodod to the iiuijority of tlic General's regiment, vice Lot'tus, deceased. AA'Iien promotion went in the same re-riment, the " diflerence " was one of the perquisites of the colonel; and allliongli lie eoukl not be said to sell a commission, when the King accejjted of liis recommendation, tlie colonel was imderstood to have disposed of snch commission. (' C'entlcman's AJagazine,' vol. xvi. 1). isi.) Ji 17.^3.] GLASGOW. — HKAI)?N(i. '2i ,:' *.f.*. 1)C tliciu good lias a ill at- t' such signa- longst :)ur to 1 to so t any- ■ially a uliopo, expect vn, and y com- of our Wolfe of bis w cuty f cars o Ivs in a as to -atcful cotlaiul )t' the wont in 'S o ftl 10 hn, w Lirn (levstowl vol. XV i. besides making roails. It is generally admitted that the Highlands were greatly benefited by Cromwell's troops, and thongh the moral and religions state of the army in the middle of tlu eighteenth centnry was nuieh below that of the Prote* .or's time, we have at least one in- stance to show that a few soldiers, even in 1753, could enlighten the people amongst whom they were thrown. It is related that when General Wolfe's ret^iment was qnartered in Aberdeen, some of the privates were heard practising sacred nuisic; and Thomas Channon, having been found capable of giving instructions-, was engaged to lead the psalmody in one of the churches. His suc- cess and good combict induced a mimbcr of ministers to apply to Lieut. -General Bland for his discharge from the army, and his Excellency having granted the rccpiest, the soldier settled in Aljerdeen, where he continued to teach sino'in"- in the " reformed wav."* The Lieutenant-Colonel's first report of the march southward is from — Carlisle, 17th September, 1753. Dear ]Madani, The last division of our regiment passes the Eskc to- morrow, and salutes the land of England once more. We hegin our march from Carlisle on the 20th, and shall be at Heading the IGth of October, which is a day sooner than my forr^er calculation. The weather has been fair and favourable as possible hitheri-o, and so warm, that we have more the look of troops that came from Spain or Africa than from the north. We are really a good deal browner and more tanned than the battalion from Minorca that relieve us. "\Vc are come thus far in our militarv rotation, and a good wav in the revolution of our lives. The regiment has undergone as great * ' ScdIs M.ij;azino." vol. xvii. ]). '112. T i >. 1 ■ p. '21C) ]A\'i] Of woi.i'i:. .1 '-I tluuigc as was perhaps ever known in time of peace and in so short a while. There are come fil'tecu new officers to the corps, besides myself, since the beginning of the year 1719, and there are several alterations to make that may soon take place. A mile on this side the river that divides England from Scotland one begins to perceive the diflerenee that labour and industry can make upon the face of a country. The soil is much tlic same for some space either north or south, but the fences, enclosures, and agriculture are not at all alike. The English are clean and laborious, and the Scotch exces- sively dirty and lazy, though far short, indeed, of what we found at a greater distance from the borders. Colonel Stan- wix is Governor (}f this place, and I believe you are ac- quainted ; at least, he inquired much after my father's health and yours, lie has been extremely civil to our people."^' The castle of Carlisle is a fortress that ought by no means to have been given up to the rebels in the manner it was.f The pre- sent Governor would not, nor, I dare say, ever will surrender it into such hands. Our second division is just now march- ing in, and that obliges me to stop here. I H--- The next report of the regiment's progress is from AVarriiigton, on the 30th of September : — Dear Sir, The greatest good-fortune that can happen to people that travel slow is to have fair weather, and we have been particu- IM > ^ i "■ ' * Aflcrwai'ds Lieut. -General Stamvix. In 17(11 he siiceeetled tlie Hon. JoLu Bai'rington as Colonel of the 8th Foot (General Wolfe's re- giment), and was drowned on his passage from Dublin in 17()6. t Wolfe's father, then a major- general, was a member of the general court-martial held at the Horse Gvuirds in September, 1740, to examine into the conduct of Lieut.-Colonel James Durand, from the time he took the command of the city and castle of Carlisle till they Avere sur- rendered to tlie I'ehels on the 15th of November, 1745. Durand was unanimously acquitted. (' The Occupation of Carlisle in 1745,' ed. l)}-- Cieorge G. Mounsey, 184().) I • *. 175;i.] (ili.VSfiOW. UK A DING. ;>77 from that irticu- lod the Ito's re- Ijrciieval ; amine lime he pre sur- Iml was eel. by larlv luckv hitherto. There has been but one rainv dav since we set out. As the season advances we riuist expect a change ; and indeed it has begun this day, with aj)poarances that arc much against us. Men harden in the air with marching, as they harden in iniquity by practice. AVe arc to halt itt Warwick, where Lord Bury meets and reviews the regiment. The men are licalthy, and so active, tliat they have worn their clothes threadbare.^ We arc no politicians, or we should have done as our predecessors the Fusilcers did, that is, clothe four months later than usual, to appear clean. I do believe we shall be the most dirty, ragged regiment that the Duke has seen for some years. In Cumberland, Westmoreland, and the north of Lanca- shire, part of the country is almost as rough and barren as the Highlands of Scotland ; but there is variety of well culti- vated, beautiful spots intermixed. Every day as we n)ove more south the country appears richer and more delightful ; and the women hereabouts, and in this place in particular, are surprisingly handsome. They astonish us that have been accustomed to look at the hard-lavovu'cd Scotch lasses. Tliey have very pretty faces (I mean the Lancashire women), but they are not, in the towns, of such stature as I expected. The peasants are straight, well made, tall, good-looking men. There's a groat quantity of cattle bred in Lancashire, and some horses. The gentlemen seem fond of hunting (by the quan- tity of hounds I judge), though the country is not best for that sort of sport, as the enclosures and fences are vastly strong, and the corn-grcaiui very deep. Our march is some- thing more than half over, and I heartily wish it was at an end, because these slow movements are not agreeable to my disposition of mind. * By the warranl of CTeorjTo II., dated Jtdy 1, 1751, for cstablisliing uniformity in the t'lotliing and colours of the several regiments, the fat'ings of the Twentieth were ordered to be of pale yellow; the coat of scarlet to be turned up with yellow, and orusmented with white lace ; scarlet waistcoat and breeches, with white gaiters reaching above the knee, and cocked hat boiuid with white lace. (Cannon's ' Jiccords of the Britis'h Arnl3^') " ( , • 'I 4 < t , n I ■ H 1 278 LIFK OK \V()I,M;. ),'; . '■ ^(f^'r . 'li' m^'^lr"-'^i ■I ■ There is n letter, on the UUh of October, from ^Var- wiek, \vhieh is described as " one of the prettiest Httie towns in England. Lord Brooke's castle, for the situa- tion and anti(|uity of it, is as great a rarity as any in the kingdom. ■'■' Tiie country about ns is extremely beauti- ful. Wc hunted yesterday npon a dehghtful plain, and had exceeding fine sport." By the 22nd, the regiment had reached Reading, whence the Lieutenant-Colonel writes to his father : — I have received a very kind letter from my mother, inviting me to her house, and to a Avarni room that she promises to provide for me ; but I am not able to say when I can have the pleasure of paying my duty to you both. If our route leads through Dei)tl'ord and GrcenAvich^ I shall wait upon you; if not, my visit will he deferred till my return from Dover. The jNIajor seems disposed to leave the regiment, in which case I shall he confined to it, because I can't, in conscience, assert that I have any Aveighty business to call me away. And yet, the prospect of passing a winter in the castle of Dover ought to quicken a man's invention for means to get free. The Duke reviews the regiment on Saturday, in their old clothes; so that if his Royal Highness piques himself upon finery of that kind, we shall inevitably be disgraced. It is true that we ha\v. numbers, for there's but five men wanting to complete ; but I can't say much for their beauty or fine performance; for many of them have been separated from the regiment, and others ought to be severed from it for ever. If we had any religion or piety, or were at all sensible of favours from above, we should be thankful for the finest season that ever was. And though we are not, I am sure, the objects or peculiar care of Heaven, yet, as we have profited by the good things bestowed upon mankind in general, we * Francis, eiglith Lord Brooke, was afterwards created Earl Brooke and Earl of Warwick. Jfe married Elizabeth, daughter of Lord Arcliil)ald 'lamiltoii. 'J L' fine from ever. )le of finest sure, [ofited 1^ we 5vooke Lord 1 ;:,;}. J (;i,AS(IO\V. — HKADlNCi. :i/l) should join with them iii aekiiowlcd^-nients. If I st;iy much longer with the rc<;iment, 1 sluill he perfectly eorru[)t ; the otlicers are loose and prolligate, and soldiers aie very devils. Wolfe's picture of the state of miliiary morals would nppear over-coloured if we had not, in the [jcriodicals of the time, numerous instances of the \iee and ignorance which then prevailed in the army amongst otlicers as well as soldiers. The subject, however, is too repulsive to be dwelt upon. The expected review did not take place, owing to the Duke's illness ; n(n' was the Lieu- tenant-Colonel ill-pleased at being spared. the exhibition. Writiui? from Reading on the 4th Xovend)er, he savs they were at exercise for four or live hours every day, and adds : — " The men of these times have not iron enough in their constitutions for this work. Our ances- tors would have done twice as nuich in colder weather without coughing ; but our debaucheries enervate; and unman us." Shortly afterwards they marched into Kent, in which county they were stationed for the winter, — Wolfe, with six companies in the castle of Dover, and the remainder at Maidstone. T r-.'i'' . I '' \ ' 'J :■ . I ; i • 't I I- •< ;. ' j ■.f f- 2SQ H:V CHAPTER Xlll. DOVER.— EXETEll. t '" I ?:|:;' 1 ■ t ■■ : , , ..::^. I- I J-:. [ ! V" '•:, , I !i flllf NovEMBEH, 1753— Maucu, 1755. The Castle of Dover, like the Tower of London, is said to have been founded by Julius Cicsar. " In memory of whom," says Lambarde, " they of the castle keep till this day certain vessels of old wine and salt, which they affirm to be the remains of such provisions as he brought into it. As touching the which, if they be natural, and not sophisticate, I suppose them more likely to have been of that store which Hubert de Burgh laid in there." The old topographer did not believe that the fortress originated with Csesar, and thought that report more credible which ascribed the foundation to the British King Arviragus, who married the daughter of the Em- peror Claudius. " But whosoever," he says, " were the author of the castle, Matthew Paris writeth, that it was accounted in his time (which was under the reign of King Henry HI.) Claris et Repapdum totius Bepii, — the very lock and key of the whole realm of England " * Several alterations were made in the fortifications from * ' A Perambulation of Kent, etc., written in the yeai 1570, by Wil- liam Lambarde, of Lincoln's Inn, Gent.' 'f 'K ought I, and been lere. rtress more ritish Em- e the t was ign of mi, — Id " * from i;:.:}-5o.] DOVER. — KXF.TKR. 281 |y Wil- tunc to time, and different sovereigns added apartments to the castle until the breaking out of the Civil War, after which period the buildings were suffered to moulder into ruin ; and although barracks were erected in 171."), to accommodate a regiment of infantry, they had not been kept in re|)air,* so that in 1753, when the castle became the head-cpiarters of Lord Bury's regiment, it was scarcely habitable. Wolfe, on his way from Reading, stopped for a ihy or two at Blackhcath, and after arriving at his destina- tion, wrote to his mother as follows : — Dover Castlo, 10th November, 175:?. Dear Madam, As soon as ever I could got my green cloth spread upon the barrack table, and pen, ink, and pa[)cr out of my l)aggngc, I sit down to write to you, to iuiorm you that the remainder of our march was as fortunate in point of weather as tlie for- mer part had been ; and here our labours end, I can't say comfortably or warmly, but in a soldier-like starving con- dition. The winds rattle pretty loud, and the air is sharp, but I suppose healthy, for it causes great keenness of appetite. 1 lodge at the foot of a tower supposed to be built by the Ro- mans, and cannot help wishing sometimes that they had chosen a snugger situation to erect their fortress upon ; or that the moderns, who demolished a good part of the works of anti- quity, had been so kind to us, their military posterity, as not to leave one stone upon another. The strength of our fortification is removed by discord and by time; but caissons arc raised upon the ruins as prisons, and a proper mode of punishment for those wild imaginations that prefer the empty sound of drum and trumpet to sober knock of hammer in shop mechanic. Here's a ready deli- verance down the perpendicular cliff to such as arc tired of their existence. They need not run very far to get out of * ' Beauties of England and "Wales.* (Kent.) .' t' ( '^ , \ . '.I. ll f if','' H 1 '. :ll; !■ 1,1 I'M', oi' woi.ri'. tins world; nno bold stop frcos tlicni from tlioii^lit. I'm alViiid I shall lose my interest at Court I)y tliis distant rceliisc life, and shall never \n) iioUiccd (as the Scotch say) but to he reprimar\dcd for som(! dispute; with a (gobbler who has a vot(! in su(!li a dirtv borough as Dover. Sincerely, I hv^ you'll make my best conipliments to the Geuerul, and desire him to corivinec the Kiny and Did\e that he is not displeased with them, for otherwise I shall be involved with him in the re- sentment that must follow this seeming contempt of majesty and diu:nitv. On th(3 Gth of December the liieutciiant-Coloncl iu- foriiis his father that he seldom stirred outside the gates of the castle, was stupefied with smoke and sulphur, and goes on to say : — The best and most agreeable service that you can possibly do me (since you are so good to ofil'er your service) is to amuse and divert yourself with such change and variety as the neighbourhood of London, or inconsiderable distance from Eath, or other places of public resort, put within your reach. 1 know by myself how necessary it is to refresh the m;ml with new objects to prevent its sinking, and how very usetul a fresh collection of thoughts arc in suj)porting the spirits. Let mc alone six or seven days in my room, and I lose all sort of sensation, either of pain or pleasure, and am in species little better than an ovstcr. A missive from the haunted castle, on Christmas l"]ve, will interest the antiquarian as well as the cursory reader : — Dear Madam, I find our afternoons hang so heavy that expedients arc wanted to divert the time. Our conversation from dinner till (ivc o'clock is kept up with some ditliculty, as none of us have any correspondence with the capital, nor communication 17'')u— .'j.'j.J noVKU. — KXKTr.ll. witli coHi'c houses or piihlu; piipcrs, so tliat \\c iirc entirely in the dark as to exterior things. From live; till ei^lit is a tedious interval hardlv to be uoi'Ui'd tlirou"li. 1 ' ivc in- ([uired for ^ood <^vvvu tea in Dover, as an aid, and tan lind none J* it uill ho some I'elief and an aet of eharity if yon will send me a pound of the best. I put oil' niy demand until I knew vonr rents were due, altlioni;-!! 1 shonld ratlier wish yon coidd persuade the General to [)ay lor it, as I tak(; his ptu'sc to be in better order than either yours or mine. This eastle is Ininnted with the spirits of some of our rest- less forefathers, the old Saxons, and some of their wives, for here arc ghosts of both >-exes. Whether these shadowy be- ings are restless, or our conseicMiees weak and' our imagina- tions strong, you may easily conjecture. But here arc jjcoplc that believe there are spirits to be seen, and others that are ready to swear to the sight; or, in other words, there arc minds nnable to bear the darkness of the night without trem- bling. AVc know that Christmas is at hand, by the sntlers' niinee-pies. I hope you have all the gaiety and good-fellow- ship that these times generally produce, to enliven the other- wise cold and dreary season. The spriglitly tone of our Lieutcnant-Coloncrs letters from Dover indicates a considerable improvement in his health anil spirits. The milder climate of his native county seems, notwithstanding tiie discomforts of the ruinous fortress, to have acted hke a charm in restoring his natural good-humour. His duties, too, were now nmch less burdensome and vexatious than they liad been in the north. lie was no longer subjected to those '- t * Green ioa was not used in England nntil the year 1715. Its jjrice aliout 1753 was IVoni 15,v. to ;}0.v. ])ci' ])ounJ, and that of Mark tea IVoni l;5vv. to 20.V. The Ih'st duty iniposod was einlUpcnci' per gallon ni)ou maelo tea; hut tlio Iraf was first ta\t'(l in liJSO, at tlio rate of 5v. ])er pound and five per cent, on the value. In 1745 the duty was altered to Iv. per poinid and tweiUy-five per eent. on the value. 2S.t MFF, OI' WOM'K. k I' inevitable collisions with tlu; civil \)()\\vv and with tiu; people, such as the [U'culiar position of a conunanding oiHcer in Scothnul necessarily iiicnncd. His men also, instead of being billeted here and there, were under his own close inspection within tlie walls of the (Jastle, thcMc- forc Wolfe had leisure to read, whih; his oflicers piissed their time ])laying at pi(piet; and in favourable weather he enjoyed himself riding upon the downs, or shooting. So, u[)on the whole, though .Maidstone would have been j)reierablc, he considered the Castle had some advan- tages. " It would be a prison," he writes, " to a man of j)lensure, but an otHcer may put u\) with it." The ladies of Dover, feeling aggrieved at the defective gallantry of the garrison officers, who, it a})pcars, were not the liveliest of the regiment, complained, through Miss Brett, to Mrs. Wolfe. The rumour reaching the Lieutenant- Colonel, on the last day of the year he en- counters the charge : — i . , U i 'f- fit;-: 1^ If Nanny Brett's ladies lived as loftily and as much in tlic clouds as wc do, their appetites for dancing, or anything else, •would not be quite so keen. If we dress, the wind disorders our curls ; if we walk, wc are in danger of our legs ; if wc ride, of our necks. And how can the tender-hearted sex ex- pect we should go down unto them at such a risk and disad- vantage? But there's a truth which my flame must not know, — some of our finest performers are at present disabled, and the rest disheartened from attempting it by the terrible ex- ample of the sufferers. There are but two that can be reck- oned to be whole and entire, — both very tall and thin ; and we can't undertake to please all these ladies plone. The task is more difficult than Mrs. Anne seems to be awar< of. If it was not for fear of offending you, I should almost ( jnfess that I think we are grown old ; whether eonstitutionallv so, 1;1;H Ill tliC Hiding n also, Icr liis , thci'L'- piisst.'d /father ootiiij^. '(3 been advuu- ninii of L'fcctivo 's, were ,lu'OU""ll iig the I/.) :,-.-,,.] DON KR. — r,\iar.ii. 2^5 he en- 11 in the ug else, isordcrs ; if wc sex ex- 1:1 disad- iist not [isahled, •ible cx- )e rcek- [n ; and fhe task If it ( jnfess lallv so, or philosophically resigned, or secjuestered from tiie world by being almost always deprived and ent off from tiic conunou enjoyments of it, — habit by degrees creating tastes agreeal)le to our condition, and dill'erent from those that are most in vogue. Part, or all joined perhai)s togetlier, and years really cre(»ping on, with notions eonformalde, cooling the blood ami s[)ring of action till dancing and all it light train of amusements ap- ])('ar vain or eonteinptibie. Notwithstanding this, I always eneoiwage our young peojilc to fre(iuent balls and assemblies. It softens tlu'ir manners and makes them civil ; and commonly 1 go along w ith tben), to sec how they conduct themselves. I am t)nly afraid they shall fall in love and marry. AVhencver 1 perceive the symi)- tonis, or anybody else makes the discovery, wc fall upon tlic (ielincpient without mercy till he grows out of conceit with Ills new passion. Hy this method we have i)roke through many an amorous alliance, and dissolved many ties of clenint love and aflection. My experience in these matters helps mc to find out my neighbour's weakness, and furnishes me with arms to oi)[)ose his folly. I am not, however, always so suc- cessful as could be wished. Two or three of the moi-t simple and insensible in other respects have triumplu'd over my en- deavours, but arc seated upon the stool of repcntan.^e for the rest of their davs. I believe my cousin (ioldsmith is already persuaded that we aie a set of the worst correspondents in Europe. I have been six months in his debt without rime or reason. I owe him a thousand thanks for a pointer that is my happiness and my very existence here, and I acquit myself towards him this verv ni"fht, and mention your commands, lie's the most un- reasonable man alive ; his requests seldom go beyond the desire that he has to know that we arc all w(;ll. lie never asks any other favour than to be satisfied in this particu- lar. I am a pair or two of spectacles behindhand with him, and I long to send him that little promised token of my esteem. I find Mr. Conolly is in a lingering way; his liver is af- I 1 '' 1 i iv * " : i ' ■ • .!•.!■ 2SG LITE 01' WOLFK. 'H :ii !, ,1 ' ' .. ■ fcctcd, and 'tis impossible that lie can recover.* Tliii? is a deadly blow to my poor iViend [Carlctoii], and mHI toueli liim deeply; but I hope the Duke of lliehmoud's protection, vliieli 1 am sure he uill deserve, may make him some amends. Your present is arrived, and is extremely valuable, both on account of the person sending it and its goodness. You have my best thanks. To-morrow the new year begins. I salute you upon it, and wish you both all pleasure and peace. The foregoing wns followed by i\ letter of a more pro- fessional charaeter to the General: — Dovor Ciisllo, Gtli .laniuiry. 175 !•. Denr Sir, 1 am very glad to find you in a resolution conformable to the rest of your eharacter. If you have ever omitted the per- fornumce of that duty which is due from an odicer of your rank, and fi'om a man of your attaehuient and May of tliink- inu' to the Kintr, it has proceeded from reasons rather com- mcMidablc and praiseworthy than blameable. You knew he Mas environed with a hungr\', greedy set. As you had no favour to ask or expect beyond a good reputation, you would not seem (however free from the thought) to augment the inuiiber of petitioners that snrround the throne. But his Majesty will now be convinced that no motives of interest direct you to him: he may easily distinguish you from the rest, because I am fully persuaded that you arc the only one, however fair soever your title and pretensions may be, that has not asked sometliing. Such persons are so rare in courts that kings may look upon them as miracles; and our good * Tlie lliirht lion. AViii. CoiioUy, of Stratlou Hiill. Slaflbvclsliire, :\I.I'. He was tlio no])lie\v and lieir of the Eicflil Hon. AVni. Conolly. Speaker of the Ti-isli House of Commons, and died at Castk'town, Celhridije, on the 3r(l of January, 17oi. (Lodge's 'Peerage of Ireland ' (17S9), vol. vii.) Wolfe ppeaks of him in a letter written a few days before the above as the protector of his friend Carleton and his brother. Mr. Conolly's only son. Thomas, married a daughter of the second Duke of Eiclimond, well known as Lady Louisa Conolly, who was aunt to the unfortunate Lord Edward Fitzgerald, and likewise to the Generals Sir Charles and Sir AVilliam Napier. IMliill: v.i 175:3-.j.j.] DOVEll. — KXKTKR. 287 us- IS a icli liiin I, which imencls. )oth oil ou have I salute )vc pro- , 1751.. liable to the per- of vour f thiuk- icv coni- kncw he had no u Avould icut the But his interest i'om the Illy one, 1)0, that u courts |ur good Mre.^r.P. Spealctn- fclbridiio, • (17S9), Lcfore the lor. Mr. Diilvc of Lnt to the Generals old monarch would find out and reward the modcstv of some of his subjects if the impudence of others did not prevent it. I am highly pleased that your going to St. James's was gra- ciously recci\cd, and that you yourself were satisfied. 1 have sent you some birds of my own killing ; few indeed they are iu number and small in kind, but (piails arc a rarity at this season. I had a pheasant and some partridges, but tliese I durst not send, as wc are not authorized by law to kill them ; and as they examine strictly npon the great roads 1 should be iniwilliiig to be re[)nted a smuggler. It is a mis- fortune for a man that likes this sort of sport preferable to any other to be liable to law and fine, or to b>c obstructed iu the pursuit of a very innocent and wholesome diversion. Over tiie water 'tis death to shoot without license ; liere 'tis prosecution, danuigcs, and costs.* I suppose you have heard tliat the French have been working at Dunkirk a kind of reservoir which, with a communication with the neighl^our- ing canals, will be a l)aekwatcr sufiieient to cleanse their har- bour, Su" Peircy Brett and an engineer have been there to examine these late dangerous operations. f Tiieir report is not yet made public, or, at least, it has not reached the top of our hill. But I think our neighbour's meaiiing is pretty l)lain, and I hope wc sha'n't misunderstand him. In tbe jiiiddle of January Wolfe was oid red to i)rc- pare his men for cantonment upon tlie Kentisb coast, to * '• Any olRccvor soldier in or near quarters, witliout leave of tlic lord of the manor, killinir any hare, eoney, pheasant. ])arlridu;e, ])iii;eon. or any other sort of fowls, i)oultry, or iisli, or liis Majesty's s^anie. within the kingdom of Great Britain, if an ollicer he forfeits £5. The eom- iiiandiniT ollieer to pay '20^. for evory sueh oli'enee eonunitled l)y a soldier under his eonnaand. Oillcers refusing or negleeting to ])ay the aliove jjenalties ^,villlin two days after conviction heforc a justice, and demand made by a constable or overseer of the poor, shall forfeit, and are hereby declared to have forfeited their connnissions." ('The ]\Iili- tary (ruido for Young Oilicers,' 3rd ed., 17S1, page 321.) t Admiral Brett, who was one of Anson's olhcers in the voyage round llie world, was knighted in 1753, and became one of the Lords of the Adnn'raltv in 17t;<). /' 1' 'l {1 i: V I I ".1 i' 288 LIFE OF WOLFE. 1 Ct I . i .1' fi. })rcvcnt suspicious vessels from approacliing the shore, — a proceeding whicli lie considered would prove inett'ec- tual, "as the villainv of the snui";f>lers would overcome all precautions." A hard frost setting in, the order was rescinded. In February he presided at a court-martial for the trial of a deserter, — the first time of acting in that " grave office," — and thinks that " such courts of jus- tice should not be held too oftcii, lest the trooj)s should lose the veneration they ought to possess." * The Lieutenant-Colonel was kept long in suspense as to the ultimate destination of the corps, the orders re- ceived from the authorities one day being counter- manded the next. At length we find them, more than a fortnight later than the date of the last letter, on the halt, in the pleasant little rural town of Sittingbourne, well pleased to get out of the old castle. In i)rc-railway- days Sittingbourne was enlivened by the coach-guard's bugle and the rattle of wheels ; and its venerable hostel- ries — many of them built before the reign of Henry VIII. — enjoyed great traffic. In AVolfe's time, however, it was not so bustling a i)lace as it afterwards became, but its ancient church, containing several remarkable monu- ments, was unimpaired,! and the environs were enriched by gardens and orchards. * It appears that recruits for the French service were shi])ped at Dover, and deserters cscajjcd by the same means. In one of the regi- mental orders Wolfe wishes certain men who Juid l)een in the service of France, or desire to be there, to know that he sets no valne upon them, and had much rather tliey Avere in the Irisli Brigade than in the army of Great Britain ; but if any one of them hereafter should threaten to desert, he shall be immediately whipped out of the regi- ment as a fit recruit for the rebel battnlions hired by the French to serve against their country. t Among the monumeuts " was that of Sir Eichard Lovelace, marshal )re, — ictt'ec- rconie :v was iiartial iiig ill of jus- siiould 3nsc as crs vc- oiintcr- tlian a on the bourne, ailway- miard's hostel- |y VIII, ver, it [lie, but uiouu- irichcd lipped at the resi- le service hie upon Ian in the should the reifi- Treueh to marshal 1753-55.] DOVER, EXETER. 2S0 On Sunday, the 24th of March, the commanding officer of the marching regiment writes from " Sittin- burne " to his mother : — Although this is not the most agrecahle weather to march in, yet we are gLnd to get out of our old castle upon any terms. It was to no purpose to complain of our condition or quarters, nor becoming the character of a soldier to do it; but since the bad part is over, and we have borne it with ])atience, a man may be allowed to rejoice at the escape. I am sure there is not in the King's dominions a more niehui- cholv dreadful winter- station tliun that we hav( 'nst left; and the neglect of the Board of Ordnance adls considerably to the natural horror that the situation and buildings raise in men's minds, and even makes it dangerous to reside in it in cold weather. So much for the vile dungeon !* Our orders of march have been changed two or three several times, but at last it is resolved that we shall bend directly towards Guildford, where five of oin* companies arc to assemble to be reviewed by Lord Bury; the rest are to proceed to Bristol with exjKjdition, being strongly solicited thereto by the magistrates of that place, who, I suppose, are in some dread of the colliers and other riotous persons in their neiglibourhood. I told my father the reason why I of Csiais in the reign of Henry A^III., rielil}- inlaid with brass; but this, with many others, have been injured by a fire that burned the iuside roof of the chureli in the year 1763. It is said that there waa an organ in it about the time of Queen Elizabeth. Pliilipot sajs, that in the year 1420 King Henry V., with his retinue, was entertained in Sittingbourne by John Norwood, Esq., w hen the bill for wine amounted to 9*. 9f/., it being one penny per pint." ('The Xentish Travellci's Companion,' 2nd ed. (1779). p. 130.) * Until its reeent j'estoration under the direction of Mr. Scott, the chiipel of St. Mary's in the castle was in a miserable and disgraceful condition. " Ivootlcss, sliattered, and exjjo.sed to the damaging cfl'ects of rai)i, frost, and mischief, it was used as a coal cellar ; while the Ro- man Pharos at the west end, one of the most interesting landmarks of history in the kingdom, w^as applied to a purpose even more degrading jind disrejnitable." ('The Builder,' September 7, 1S('.2.) U ■;{ I.- 290 LIFE OF WOLFE. 1^ (»' I!i r m ■ i >'} \- 1 i 'ii could not hope to have the pleasure of seeing you before 1 am dismissed by authority; but it may happen that the cross road from Dartford to Croydon is so bad that we shall be obliged to march over the Heath and by Lewisham,* in which case I'll do myself the honour (in the polite phrase) of wait- ing upon you for an hour^ and I wish I may find you triumph- ing over the inclemenc;' of the season. After the review Wolfe got leave of absence for some months, and passed the greater part of the time at Blackheath. In Jnly we find him on a visit with his old friend General Mordannt, from whose house at Free- folkf he writes to his mother on the 14th : — Sir J. Mordaunt's civility, good-breeding, and good-hu- mour make his house easy and pleasant to his guests, and the country round about has a variety of charms, especially to those that love sport. As far as my disposition will permit, I live everywhere as they live with whom I am, and put off the fixing upon a way of life, or preferring one method to another till I can do it at home, — in all simplicity following nature without control. J My mistress's picture hangs up in the room where we dine. It took away my stomach for two or three days, and made me grave; but time, the never- failing aid to distressed lovers, has made the semblance of her a pleasing, but not a dangerous object. However, I find it * "AVlion Mr. Eennie, the engineer, was engaged in surveying the Weald, with a view to the cutting a canal through it, in 1802, he found the country almost destitute of practicable roads, althoitgh so near t)ie metropolis on the one hand and to the seacoast on the other. The in- terior of the country was then comparatively untraversed, except by bauds of smugglers, who kept the inhabitants in a state of constant terror." (Smiles, 'Lives of Engineers,' vol. i. p. 232.) t At Freefolk, a small hamlet east of Whitchurch, are the paper- mills and seat of John Portal Bridges, Esq. (1805), where the paper for bank notes has been manufactured ever since the reign of George I. (' Beauties of England and Wales :' Hampshire, p. 236.) X " The tyrant Custom had not shackled man, But free to follow Nature was the mode." TJiomsons 'Autumn.' 1753-55.] DOVER. — EXKTER . 291 I am cross ill be kvhich wait- impli- souie ne at Lb bis Eree- »o(l-bu- lud tbc iallv to 3rmit, I off tbe ,notber nature in the two or [.failing her a find it I'ing the lie found Inear tlic 1 The in- kcei)t by- constant paper- baper for [eorge I. tin. best not to trust myself to the lady's eyes, or put confidence in any resolutions of my own. The above is tbe last allusion to Miss Lawson, who bad finally rejected Wolfe's suit more than a year before. A love so ardent and so constant co\dd not soon abate, and it was long until another lady again engaged bis affections. He did not submit to bis fate without a struggle, but when all his hopes were blighted he bore the disappointment with resolution, if not with resigna- tion. Instead of sinking under the sorrow, or endea- vouring to smother it in the dissipations of the world, in singleness of soul be devoted himself to the service of his country. How far matrimony might have influenced his remaining years it would be futile to surmise. His military ambition was so nearly counterpoised by bis desire for domestic life as to make it doubtful whether the one would have prevailed over the other. As we shall hear no more about the " old story " of Wolfe's first love, it may here be stated that Miss Lawson died unmarried, in March, 1759.* On the 21st, Wolfe writes again from Freefolk to bis father : — I have rambled over several places in this neighbourhood. The Duke of Bolton's park and gardens at Hackwoodf are * Obituary, ' Gentleman's Magazine.' t Hackwood, a corrupt abbreviation of Hawking-wood. The plea- sure-grounds and adjoining park formerly composed one wood, con- iiectod with Basing House by long avenues of chestnuts. The man- sion, originally a lodge, built in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, was used as a place of meeting for company who assembled for hawking, and as a banqueting-room after the sport. See ' Beauties of England and Wales ' (Hampshire). In 1754 Harry Paulet, fourth Duke of Bolton, and Marquis of Winchester, succeeded his brother Charles, who mar- ried Miss Fenton. U i I \ V'- ■' 'U !'■ f'y H: (^ *' f-'i' . For more thiin two months we have nothing from AA^olfe's pen, whence we may infer that he was at Black- heath ; but on the 29th of September, we find him at Bristol, where he remained a week. After wandering about and visiting his friends during the summer months, his leisure came to an end early in October, when he took up his winter quarters in the city of Exeter, and settled down to business. "The emporium and principal ornament of the west," as Exeter has been called, has undergone many changes since the time when the Lieutenant-Colonel crossed the Exe by its old bridge with houses on both sides, and entered the city by one of the six gates. The walls, which had borne the brunt of many a siege, still re- nuiiiied, though the ancient Castle of llongeniont had been demolished by Fairfax after it had held out for some time against the Parliamentary army. There were but four streets, meeting in the centre of the town, hence called " Carfox, from the old Norman word quatre-voiu, * The Hon. John Boscawcn, fifth son of the Ei'.rl of Fahnouth, and brollier to the Admiral. 1753-35. J DOVER. — EXETER. 293 3(1 tlie i, and walls, till re- lit had lut for were hence le-voiv, Lull. !"i^l i. e. the four ways."* An extensive trade was carried on in " serges, per/jef.t(a//as,-f long-ells, and other woollen goods ;" but besides traders and niaiuifacturers there were many resident gentry, who adhering to the city motto, " Semper fidelis," synipathized with the Stuarts, or, in other words, were Jacobites. " Time works wonders," insomuch that probably nothing now a})pcrtaining to the city, except the cathedral, would identify it with Exeter a hundred years ago. On the 17th of October, Wolfe wrote to his mother, saying that he was very busy, though nothing prevented him from writiuG; to her. He had to draft 100 of his men to Colonel Dunbar's regiment for the Virginian ex- pedition, and would be employed all the winter in re- cruiting, as it was no easy matter to re])lace so many men where industry was well paid. " JNIy honest friend Gage," he adds, " is to be of the Ohio party. I hope his health will enable him to stand it, but fear it will not."]: xVfter wishing her and the General a pleasant journey to Bath, he concludes, " the men are going out to exercise, so I must shut up and follow." The General's regiment having been reviewed at Reading, Wolfe congratulates him in these terms : — Exeter, 25lli October, 1754. Dear Sir, I have just received a letter from Lord Bury, concluding * Seally's ' Geograpliieal Dictionary ' (17S7). t Perpetiiana, — "A sort of stull"; by its name it should be some- thing like everlasting." (Nares.) X Dunbar's and Sir Peter Halket's regiments sailed from Ireland for America, in January, 1755. The IIou. Thomas Gage was Lieu- tenant-Colonel of the latter, and commanded the advanced guard of Braddock's fatal expedition. \ I 'i I '. MS f 294 LIFE OF WOLFE. }■ 1:.;- i- [i r' f J.' .' B I witli this short paragraph, " 1 am just returned from tlic review of your father's regiment ; they did well, and the Duke was very well pleased with him." Lord Bury never carries his complaisance to his inferiors further than the truth. I wish people would stick to that above as well as below, — to 1)c honest if possible at both ends ; but that's foreign to the l)resent purpose. I am extremely pleased that this business has passed over so much to the Duke's satisfaction and to yours. It is a pity you are not better acquainted ; for his lloyal Highness only begins to know you, — he has but just found out that nobody means better than General Wolfe. • ••••»•••• I begin to flatter myself that we shall soften the rigorous proceedings of our adversaries here, and live with them on better terras than hitherto. It is not our interest to quarrel with any but the French ; and they must be devilish minds that take a pleasure in disputing. I hope my good mother will tell me what's doing at Bath, and I hope I shall hear from her that she is sensible of the good effects of its waters and of its cheerful variety and company. Tim. Brett passed through here some days ago, in his way home ; he had com- pany with him, and could not even dine with me.* As the continuation of the following fragment has been lost, neither time nor place is attached to it, but internal testimony proves its proper position to be hereabouts.! Dear Madam, My father said very little upon the subject of his review ; just as much as helped me to conjecture that he was not ill pleased ; but he did not mention a syllable of the Duke's * Timothy, brother to Charles Brett, is described as a man of " a most mild, benignant, and amiable character ;" he was sometime Clerk of the Cheque at Portsmouth, and died at Greenwich in 1790, unmar- ried, and much respected. (' Gentleman's Magazine,' March, 1799.) t The originals being generally dated at the end, near the signature, the terminations of some of the letters have been cut off for the sake of the autograph. 1753— 55. J DOVER. — EXLTER. 205 )assed corn- been ;ernal ts.f of "a Clerk unmar- 99.) nature, ^sake ol' civility to him, which I am very f^hid to Icani from you ; and I was mucli rejoiced to perceive that you had been present at tins military show and had been diverted with it. If I did not profess the business myself, I should follow all the Review- er als for the sake of the tr< Ik Licnerais Tor tnc sauc ot seeing tiic troops, i know thing more entertaining than a collection r>^ well-looking men uniformly clad, and performing their Cvcrcise Mith grace and order. I should go further, — my curiosity would carry mo to all parts of the Morld to be a spectator at these martial sights, and to see the various produce of different climates and the regulations of different armies. Fleets and fortifi- cations too are objects that would attract me as strongly as architecture, painting, and the gentler arts. Have you seen any of our people at Bath ? They go over now and then from Bristol for a day to dance, and then return ; the poor devils can't stay long, they can't bear the expense. We have one very extraordinary person gone from hence, — a lieutenant that you have heard me speak of, his name is II ; we call him Bardolph ! If his figure does not frighten you it will certainly make you laugh. He'll be at some gaming- table. That poor, infatuated old fool, Will, deserves com- passion; he may now be considered as the most helpless, abandoned wretch upon the earth. Blind folly ! to prefer the momentary satisfaction that ale can give to the solid certainty of care and good usage in your easy service. These creatures are insensible of present advantages or prospect of future misery.* Would you believe it that no Devonshire squire dances more than I do? What no consideration of pleasure or com- plaisance for the sex could effect, the love of peace and har- mony has brought about. I have danced the officers into the good graces of the Jacobite women hereabouts, who were prejudiced against them. It falls hard upon me, because of my indolence and indifference about it.f * Will had been more than fourteen years in the General's service. See postscript to letter, " August 6, 1740," p. 13. t A literary lady who appears to have known Wolfe personally, in a letter, " On tlie Grace and Propriety of Dancing," portrays his per- I t" 3 ' r i\).. : ;- ~i . rri rii || | I JJ[IJ ||I | l< | l « | l tljMWli i. ■2d() LIFE OF WOI.FE. IlilS )■•• I- . ,■ ' t ■ ; . } ' \ 'if ;:*." AVo arc upon such terms with the people in general that 1 have been forced to pnt on all my address, and em[)l()y my best skill to ("oiieiliate njatters. It begins to work u little favourably, but not certainly, because the perverseness of these folks, built upon their disatleetiofi, nuvkes the task very diflicnlt. We had a little ball last night, to celebrate his ^Majesty's birthday, — purely military ; that is, the men Avero all odieers cxeejjt one. The female branches of the Tory families came readily enough, but not one man would aeeei)t; the invitation, because it was the King's birthday .''^ If it hail not fallen in my way to sec such an instance of folly I should ■not readily be brought to conceive it. Wolfe's letters now, thougli not less fivrpient, bcconui shorter; he is so busy that he is obliged to contract them. Long ones take np time, " I have seen," he says, " ladies' letters a mile long, but they have an ease in writing that men want." Towards the close of th(^ year he seems to have had more leisure, for his corre- spondence regains it wonted length, and improves in vivacity. Including passages which have been can- celled to avoid repetition, the following amusing frag- ment covers four pages of ample, old-fashioned letter- paper, of dimensions such as may be remembered by forinancc thus : — " I vcmoinber tlio great Gcuoral Wolfe to have boon nmcli admired for liis talent in this scienoo likewise ; but lie was gene- rally ambitious to gain a tall, graeeful woman to be his partner, as well as a good dancer ; and when he was lionoured with the hand of such a hitly, the fierceness of the soldier was absorbed in the politeness of the gentleman. When thus innocentl}'^ animated, the General seemed emulous to dis])lay every kind of virtue and gallantry that would render him amiable in a private character. Such a serene joy was difliised over his whole manners, mien, and deportment, that it gave the most agreeable turn to the features of that hero, who died for his country'. " (' Miscellanies in Prose and Verse,' by ilrs. M. Deverell, (ilom-ester, 1781, vol. i. p. 74.) * The 30th of October. m 1753— 55. j DOVER. EXKTER. :Ci)7 sonic of us, though si'hloui used in these (hiys of en- velo[)es, notes, penny postage, steel pens, and telegr!i[)lis. Okl Lady Grey, at vvliose house \\'()lfe ealled when on liis way to Paris, was now at Uath. Her ladyship ap- pears to have had a talent for match-making, and to have been very anxious to provide a suitable partner for her favoured client. 'I frag- ,-e been [s gene- as wel I ' sucli a oi" tlio Iseeincd woukl ijoy was I it gave for his .'verell, Dear ^ladam, Lady Grey knows so well how to value a constant temper, that she must necessarily encourage suuli a lover, and keep his hopes alive. For my part, I don't feci the least disi)()si- tiou to change ; but if ever I do, it shall he upon the plan prcscrll)ed hy her. I will look where she points, hut I must warn her that there are little wandering stars of very bright aspect at first, whose beauty and hght arc soon obscured, and will hardly bear a close inspection ; there are others of a nobler nature, — fixed and permanent, — upon whose friendly aid and guidance a traveller may depend. Now, to distin- guish between these Lcavcnly bodies requires a pretty good telescope and strong sight. But, to descend a little from things celestial to things that are material, I must acknow- ledge her ladyship's great goodness in offering such security to the General as she is possessed of. The Right Worshipful the jNIayor of li^xctcr and myself arc hand and glove. We drink Church and King together upon extraordinary occasions at the Guildhall; but when lie docs me the honour to dine, we leave out the divine part of the toast, which makes hiin suspect my religion, and he cannot help thinking that the officers of the army are no better than they should be. The people seem to be tolerably well dis- posed towards us at present. How long they will continue in such good humour it is quite uncertain. I hope it will last our time, for as the town has nothing in it cither inviting or enter- taining, the circumstances of a civil war would make it into- lerable. 1 am in a perfect solitude with a crowd of people . I i I'i' i hi^^' 298 1.1 IE OF WOLFK. ,/i.. ^' I ' I It t ^ ill'' II r^ ,!'■!'••■ around, for all our conversable olliccrs arc sent ofl' upon (111'- fercnt ilutioH, and the iuli!il)itants arc of a species not to l)c fre([uente(l. There are some sensible, well-bred men amonj^st i\\v. elerj^y that arc seldom seen. The Bishop was very civil, but he is gone to Parliament.* Tiic night of dreadful thunder which affected you did not in the least disturb my rest. Nothing wakes me, which I reckon a misfortune, and I draw an infc-rence from it to the disadvantage of my future aft'airs. Souno sleep is the mark of an inactive mind, and such are never great or useful ; but, to balance it, quiet rest and a clear conscience arc constant companions. As a correspondent, ]\Irs. Wolfe was very sensitive and hard to please. Occasionally indulging herself in a quiet game, she has taken offence at some remarks of her son's upon card-playing. Having deprecated the maternal wrath in his letter of the 5th of December, Wolfe ex- plains his meaning : — Wc that are young have a thousand different ways of em- ploying ourselves, and of getting through our time. It is not so with people more advanced in years, and though I am not particularly foud of cards myself, yet I think they arc reason- able and innocent instruments of diversion, and I am always sorry when I suffer myself to censure any entertainment that is quite harmless because it is not to my taste. My mean- ing is, that young folks should be careful of engaging in any pursuit that may sacrifice the hours of their improvement, and that they who have the warmest tempers are most likely * Dr. George Lavington, an eminent scholar, strongly attached to the Protestant succession, was born in 1083. In 1716 he was raised to the See of Exeter, where he resided among his clergy, a faithful and vigi- lant pastor, and died in 1762. He published several works, one of which, on 'The Enthusiasm of the Methodists and Papists compared,' involved him in a controversy with Whitfield and Wesley. See Caal- mers's Biographical Dictionary, vol. xx. )). 71. 1753-55 ] DOVF-Il. — EXKTER. 29U to push into CXCCS8C8 that way, us in all things else that they arc bent npon. Then come a few characteristic sketches of his siihor- (hnate officers : — " Maxwell dances reniarkal)ly well for a man of Jiis uncommon size. I suppose he's liked at JJatli, for I dare say he's nmcli known. He's the best- humoured man alive.* Poor 11 {(illas Bardolph) had such a cold while he was at Bath, that he could not go out of his lodgings, and so escaped being seen." Having told his mother that he will try and run over to see her next month, he concludes : — " I have so many letters to send to poor subalterns and recruiting-officers, tliat 1 cannot spare you a frank, and have so nuich to do before the post goes out that 1 must make an end."t Wolfe passed the Christmas holidays with his father and mother at Bath, and returned to Exeter on the 3rd of January. Next day he informs the latter that he expects to be put on board the fleet, and fears he will be sent to Bristol to try men by court-martial for their • I to the to the id vij,n- louc of |[)ai'c'cl,' Caul- * Maxwell was the senior captain of the corps, and became Major in 1758. He was probably the Lieut. -Colonel Hamilton Maxwell of the 71st regiment, who distinguished himself at Gibraltar under General Elliott, and afterwards in India. t The privilege which Members of Parliament enjoyed of franking letters by writing their names on covers is well known to have given rise to various evasions. Wolfe, being above resorting to such devices, considerably preferred that his mother should incur the expense of postage to inflicting the tax upon poor subalterns. It is evident that " Loid Bury's " was not the favoured corps alluded to by Sir Walter Scott. " One noble lord, to express his regard for a i)articular regi- ment, franked a letter for ever}' rank and file. It was customary also to save the covers and return them, in order that the correspondence might be carried on as long as the envelopes could hold together." (' Kedgauntlet,' Letter 1, u.) -r riffWiirarttniiji 300 LIFE or WOLFE. i-r. ' ,1.' t f lives. Hopes Uncle Brad, offers his services to Govern- ment. Wants shoes ; Rynicr, of Charing Cross, has his measnrc. Will be tronblesonie to her for other matters he requires, but father will })ay the bills. His next letter is dated "J^ristol, 19th January." The solenm duty he has been engaged in has cast a gloom over his sensitive mind, and the severity of the weather affecting his equally sensitive frame, a sombre tinge pervades the whole production. One paragraph will suffice. After hoping that the General and Mrs. AV^olfc, — who have returned to their "little house at l^lackhcath," — have been benefited by the Bath, he goes on to say : — Folks are siu'prised to sec the meagre, consumptive, decay- ing figure of the son, mIicu the father and mother preserve such good looks; and people are not easily persuaded that I am one of the family. The campaigns of 17 13, '1, ^5, '0, and '7 stripped me of my bloom, and the winters in Scotland and at Dover have brought me almost to old age and infirmity, and this without any remarkable intemperance. A few years, more or less, are of very little consequence to the common run of men, and therefore I need not lament that I am per- haps somewhat nearer my end than others of my time. I think and write upon these points without being at all moved. It is not the vapours, but a desire I have to be familiar M'ith those ideas which frighten and terrify the half of mankind that makes me speak upon the subject of my dissolution. k I Wolfe's foreshadows, however, did not make him in- different about his advancement in the army ; but con- trariwise, perhaps, prompted his desire of promotion. General Mordaunt interested himself as much to for- ward that object as Lady Grey to provide him with a :; I 1753— 5o. J DOVER, — EXETER. 301 if m in- con- otiou. for- itli a wife. Sir John devised various sclicnies, one of which was that General AVolfe shoukl resign the colonelcy of his regiment in favour of James, who was to settle an annuity upon his father. The son, having turned the matter in his mind, writes as follows : — ■ Exeter, 7tli February, 1755. Dear Sir, I have writ to Sir John Mordaunt by this post to de- cline his obliging offers of service with tlianlvfidiiess and gratitude. A soldier's life in war is too great an uncertainty for you to hazard a necessary part of your income n})on. I should be afraid to die, more than is natural, if it left my parents unprovided of a subsistence depending upon my life. Besides, how far an expensive war may affect tlie funds I know not. Your better judgment upon this point may fur- nish you with reasons for or against any alteration of your affairs. Some security there should be for my mother if she should outlive you, and me, and the public credit, — a thing, in my mind, not altogether impossible. As I said in my last letter, we expect to go on board the fleet, and 'tis a service that we all liivc, from the importance of a success at sea, to which we should be happy to contril)ute ever so littk^ I know, if vour health and time of dav would allow, you would offer your services to the good old King, lie will, however, be pleased to see what remains of his faith- ful old soldiers, and I hope you now and then ai)pcar with the rest, to give those proofs of your attachment. Excuse the freedom I take to sav that vou can't better exert your strength in the spring than by going a few days to your regiment, to look at them with a cheerful, friendly face, aiul to see if there be anything v.anting which is in your power to snpi)ly. Such an attention pleases the troops, and must be acceptable to his lloyai Highness the Duke. lie remahis stdl in suspense as to his probable desti- nation ; when four days after the above, a letter, from '. 'f ) , ' I i: ^ ii''f if *m . ifpu!Jii .-.t^\m^ ifi':::i 302 LIFE OF WOLFE. which the following passages are extracted, was written to his mother :— h . 1'^ i» i"CA "We arc in expectation of sudden orders for some service ; what it is we know not. If we are ordered on board the fleet cither to cruise, or to Virginia, it will be absolutely necessary that I get myself furnished with a quantity of coarse shirts ; and how to do it I really am at a loss to know, and if we were to take the field I should be wholly ruined. This is the state of my affairs, — I am eight-and-twenty years of age, a Lieutenant-colonel of Foot, and I cannot say that I am master of fifty pounds. My preparations for IMinorca have run me aground, and, in short, I am so distressed that I feci myself a little uneasy, and am surrounded with miserable devils in the same circumstances, to whom a battle would be a happy event. Don't trouble yourself about my room or my bed- clothes ; too much care and delicacy at this time would ener- vate me, and complete the destruction of a tottering constitu- tion. Such as it is, it must serve me now, and I'll make the best of it, and the fittest use Avhile it holds. My uncle Wat's scheme is either very extravagant or a very prudent one. If my uncle means to mend his health by a soft climate, he can't take a better method than what you say he proposes. If his intentions were to be useful to me, I can't but think myself highly obliged to him ; although I could well wish that he would not put himself out of his way upon my account, as it will not answer the end that I know he proposes. The case, as it appears to me, is this, — that the uncle has much more ambition than the nephew, and that he has a better opinion of me than I have of myself, and far better than I deserve. He wants that I should make a con- siderable figure in our profession ; and as he is a skilful man himself he would willingly contribute to it. His letters are all calculated to answer that end, but he never mentioned a syllable to me of his late project. If he had, I should cer- tainly have opposed it."*^ * What tlie Major's project was does not api)]ioar. 1753-55.] DOVER. — EXETER. 303 or a ith by you me, ighl Is way low he Lt the [lat he id far con- mau •s are ;ioiie(l cer- On the 18th of February Wolfe acknowledges his father's promised aid in these terms : — By my mother's letter, which came to me this morning, I find that your bounty and liberality keep pace (as they usually do) with my necessities. 1 shall not abuse your kindness, nor receive it unthankfully, and what use I make of it shall be for your honour and the King's service, — an employment worthy the hand that gives it. I cannot bear the thoughts of asking these sort of supplies from any foreign purse, and therefore should have been more distressed without your assistance than can well be described. I would not wish that any- thing slnuld take off my attention from the most important parts of my duty ; nor feel myself cramped and tied down by the narrowness of my circumstances at the time when the thoughts should be free and at large. If a man be ill served, or ill armed i'l the field., he is deprived of the necessary aids to his well-doing ; and that spirit will guide others but indif- ferently which bends under its own wants. I shall husband your gifts with dir^c. den, and be gratefully mindful of your goodness. To his mother ne writes on the same occasion : — I put both your letters under one cover ; the thanks that are due to one are due to the other, for your intentions and kindness to your son are alike. I am now able to come to you, and may have leave for eight or ten days perhaps. Before, I could not undertake the journey without dreading the expense. Concerning two of his schoolfellows, the Stretons, he remarks : — Jemmy's conduct astonishes me. He should blush to be anywhere but at his colours at this time. A young lieutenant loitering up and down Greenwich Park ! If he belonged to us I would soon bring him to quarters, and find him full employment. What is my old fiiend about? If this comes to be known, Jemmy's reputation must suffer; the monthly • \ I 1 I '( f IBII 304 LIFE OF WOLFE. i^-V<-.- i I t IN:!r t ' returns of his regiment will publish his idleness. Jack is of other mettle, arul has good need of it. It has fallen hard upon that poor lad ; I wish the other had his share. Where does Jaek go next? He will have visited all the remote corners of the earth. I bog you'll tell him that 1 wish him well, that I regret his hard lot, and that I should have been much pleased to have seen my old friend and schoolfellow.* Although the General's and Mrs. Wolfe's letters to their son have not been preserved, we can occasionally detect some of their topics from the answers they call forth. Tile old General, it would appear, mindfid of his own experience, endeavoured to dissuade Janies from being too forward to offer his services en board the Heet. But our hero, feeling that his duty to his country was a higher call than the obedience due to his parents, expresses liis sentiments in the following chivalrous letter to his mother : — Exeter, lOtli February, 1755. Dear ^ladam, May I be permitted to say that my father's apprehen- sions, and oonscquently yours, are not \\e\\ grounded ? lie •was on board the fleet in the beginning of the war preceded by a peace of thirty years, in which the sea officers as well as ours had almost forgot their trade. Matters are not now so circumstanced, and there are many commanders in the fleet who are men of high courage and spirit. Let me add that things were inconveniences, and disagreeable ones at his time of life w Inch are not so at mine. I ijleasc mvself that we are likely to do our country good service by going on board the fleet. The sickness that 've feel at first will soon be over, and I flatter myself, if occasion be, that we shall spur them on to their duty. The success of our fleet in the beginning of the * AVolfe's sclioolfeilow wa.s [)rc)biibly Cloncral John Stretou, who died in tlir \vi\v IS' :i. 1753-55.] DOVER. EXETKll. 305 war is of the utmost importance, and '.vc shall have great merit in contributing ever so little towards it. It is no time to think of what is convenient or agreeable; that service is certainly the best in which we are the most useful. For my part, I am determined never to give myself a moment's concern about the nature of tlie duty which his Majesty is pleased to order us upon ; and whether it be by sea or by land that we are to act in ol)edience to his commands, I hope that we shall conduct ourselves so as to deserve his approbation. It will be sufficient comfort to you two, as far as my person is concerned, at least it will be a reasonal)le consolation, ':o retlect that the Power which has hitherto pre- served me may, if it be His pleasure, continue to do so ; if not, that it is but a few days or a few years more or less, and that those who perish in their duty, and in the service of their country, die honourably. I hope I shall have resolution and firmness enough to meet every appearance of danger without great concern, and not be over-solicitous about the event. I' • ; ■■{ shen- llc needed Ivell as low so le fleet Id that Is time Ive arc Id the Ir, and on to Df the who The dogs are to ])e disposed of as follows, — you arc to have Flurry instead of Romp, and Romp is to be given to Sergeant Goodman whenever he calls for her. The two puppies I must desire you to keep a little longer, till I can dispose of them so as not to be troublesome to you. I can't part with either of them, but must find good and secure quarters for them as well as my friend Caisar, who has great merit and much good, humour. I have given Sancho to Lord Howe, so that I am now reduced to two spaniels and one pointer, all of excellent kinds.''^ Beck with is just come into the room.f He always puts a stop to my writing ; I must therefore present my duty to mv Father. In many points there is a remarkable resemblance be- tween Wolfe and Nelson ; in other points they as widely * Trivial tliough tlio matter is, tlio torinination of the letter has been thought too chanictoristio to be withheld, t Beckwith was tlie Major of the regiment. « ' U 1 ti: ■ 30() LIFE 01" WOLl'E. 'i >- , i < (liirrr. 13()lli had delicate constitutions, suffered nnicli from ill-liealtli, and Avere subject to })eriodical iits of despondency. Nelson is said to have often repeated, that Avhen recovering from a state of mental depression, " a radiant orb Avas suspended in his mind's eye which urged him onward to renown." * The reaction of Wolfe's spirit likewise bore him aloft, and sustained him. Jioth heroes were beloved by their men and re- spected by their officers ; and though Wolfe had not so many opportunities of exhibiting his genius for com- mand, he was Nelson's com})cer in zeal for the public good, untiring energy, intuitive judgment, and pwi, . decision. But Nelson, it must be 'Imitttd, \\a- glorious; his race was for "a pecnje or Westiif. A\.'. Abbey." f Herein he was inferior to WoU'c, whose • igii- est ambition was to prove his disintc)v<^(cd pair!- m; "and not be over-solicitous about the cvn.i" The Lieutenant-Colonel writes to his father, on the 2Cth of February, that, as things had taken a more pacific turn, he would not, for the present, require any pecuniary assistance ; f^nd some days later he says, that whenever he calls for aid, " it shall be to serve the King as you yourself would serve him. If there is a war, I must either rise or fall ; in cither case I am pro- vided for ; but as I would willingly enjoy the society of my friends without being troublesome to them, I should rather prefer the former as the means of doing it, and having, as yet, some little relish of life." Then, com- menting on the promotion of officers of his own and * Soiitlicys 'Life of iS'elsou,' cliap. i. t I/ji(/., elio]). V. 1753-55. J DOVER. — EXKTER. 307 uch s ol' that " '1 > '^ liich 11 ot" Liincil (1 rc- lot so com- j.>: ■■[(.'- e • igh- lou the move ^rc any 's, that •vc the [ve is a |iii pi'o- jicty of sliouUl it, aiul \\, com- Ivii aiul his father's regiments, he achls : " It is a soiiiul pircc of poHey to put troops in good Imniour l)efore (i war, and to keep tliein so afterwards by rei)eated acts of justice and kindness. The affections of mihtary men are easily won, and as easily kept ; they only ask regidar prefer- ment, and to be treated with common humanity." In conclusion, he observes that musketry will be wanted on board the fleet, and until maiines raised they mu; have Infantry ; and a letter is Lucloseu tor young Allen, to be forwarded to him by his mother.* The letter which follows is to Wolfe's old friend Tliek- son, who, having returned from Nova Scotia, was now at Fort Augustus. It exhibits the fervour of his friend- ship as well as his zeal and vigilance, and shows that, like Nelson, Wolfe could not bear tame and slow mea- sures. Qualities so opposite, — such gentleness and such fierceness, — arc seldom united, and it is still larer to find them so vividly expressed by the same pen. Mv dear Friend, Just as I received your letter the drum beat to arms, and we have been in a bustle ever since. Now that it has be- come a little calm again I will gather up my wits together, aud collect my friendly sentiments (a little disjjersed by the sound of war) to answer it. Be so good, for the time to come, to presume Avith yourself that you have a right to cor- respond with me Avheucver you please, and as often ; aud he persuaded that you cannot do me a greater pleasure tlian by writing to mc. I want to persuade you that neither time nor * The Alli'iis were eounecleJ willi Greonwioli IIos])it!il, iuul the youtli tor whom the U'tter was written was lliclianl Allen, who had recently been ai)pointed an ensiifn ot'Oiwav's, then serving in Ireland. The subjeet, doubtless, was similar to that of tlio letter to *' Dear Iluty," and to another be noticed. X -2 \ ^ \ i»ji fi 308 LIFK OF WOLFK. ) ■ .1 I t f ij v! • ( > I distance, nor different fortune,, either lias, or ever will, make tlic least alteration in my an'crtion to'vards yonr little person, and that, in all probability, I shall die as nuieh your friend as I have lived, whether at the end of one or twenty years, ol' which disposition in me, if I had opportunity to convince you, you should have snfHcient proof IMiough I know how reason- able and philosophic a man you are, yet I shall not allow you quite as much merit as I should to another in your situation. The remembrance of Nova Scotia makes Tort Augustus a paradise ; your sufferings there will be no small aid to your contentment, for nothing can Avell happen of greater trial than what you have already overcome. Since I began my letter to you yesterday, there's a fresh and a loud report of war. More shi^s are ordered to be fitted out, and we must expect further preparations suited to the greatness of the occasion. You in the north Avill be now and then alarmed. Such a succession of errors, and such a train of ill-behaviour as the last Scotch war did produce, can hardly, I believe, be matched in history. Our future annals will, I hope, be filled with more stirring events. "What if the garri- sons of the forts had been under the orders of a prudent, re- solute man (yourself, for instance), would not they have found means to stifle the rebellion in its birth ? and might not they have acted more like soldiers and good subjects than it appears they did? AVhat would have been the efl'ect of a sudden march into the middle of that clan who were the first to move? What might have been done by means of hostages of wives and children, or the chiefs themselves? How easy a small body, united, prevents the junction of distant corps and how favourable the country where you are for such a i manoeuvre ! If, notwithstanding all precautions, they get to- gether, a body of troops may make a diversion, by laying waste a country that the male inhabitants have left to prose- cute rebellious schemes. How soon must they return to the defence of their property (such as it is), their wives, their ' children, their houses, and their cattle ! But, above all, the secret, sudden night-march into the midst of them ; great i)atrols of fifty, sixty, or one hundred DOVKll. KVETKH. 309 'vson, nd as irs, of I you, 3ason- *v you lation. stus a ) your il than \ fresh c fitted to the ow and a train hardly, ^ will,' I garri- cut, rc- fouud >ot they appears sudden first to hostages low easy corps such a get to- laving prose- to the *. their nto the B\un drcd men each, to terrify thcni ; letters to the chiefs, thrcatcuiiig fire and sword and certain destruction if they dare to stir; movements that seem mysterious, to keep the enemy's atten- tion upon you, and their fears awake ; these, and the like, which your experienec, reading, and good sense would point out, arc the means to prevent mischief. If one was to ask what i)rcparations were made for the defence of the forts, I hclievc they would he found insulHeient. There are some things that arc ahsolutely necessary for au ohstinate resist- ance, — and such there always should he against rchels, — as tools, fascines, turf or sods, arms for the brer 'h (long spou- toons or halberds), palisades innumerable; whole trees, con- verted into that use, stuck in the ditch, to hinder an assault. No one of these articles was thought of, cither at Fort Au- gustus or Fort George; and, in short, nothing was thought of but how to escape from an enemy most worthy of con- tempt. One vigorous sortie would have raised the siege of Fort Augustus ; (me hundred men would have nailed up the battery, or carried the artillery into the castle. I wish you may be besieged in the same manner ; you will put a speedy end to the rebellion, and foil their arms in the first attempt : les Messieurs de Guise se sont (res-mal com- parte! If there's w^ar, I hope the General in the north will not disperse the troops by small parties, as has been practised hitherto, but rather make choice of certain good stations for bodies that can defend themselves, or force their way home to the forts, if occasion require it. At Laggan Achadrom, for example, they should build a strong redoul)t, surrounded l)y rows of palisades and trees, capable to contain two hundred men at least. This is a post of great importance, and should be maintained in a most determined manner, and the Mac Donalds might knock their heads against it to ver}' little purpose. Old doting Humphrey,* who is newly married I * Liout.-Gonoral (Ilumpliroy) 131and. ulio succeetled General Cliurcliill as C'oiiunauder-iu-chief in Scutlaiul, was married to Miss Betty Dalrymple, nieee to the late Earl of Stair, on the 13lh January, 175;"). (Gentleman's Alai^'azine.) :r • t('. •' 1 1^ • ,1 In I i,ii-' 310 Liri; OF woi.i'E. =«F:i :i,l i If \i I I (iiul, will be a good deal occni)ied at home, and fondly, no d()ul)t; so you must not expect nuieli aid from that (luarter; there's our weuk side. Mr. M'lMurson f^liould have a couple of hundred men in his neiyhho- "ood, with orders to nuissaere the whole elan, if they show the least symptom of rebellion. They are a war- like tribe, and hi; is a cunning, resolute fellow himself. They should be narrowly w atehed ; and the party there should be well commanded. Tra[)au(l wUl have told you tliat I tried to take hold of that famous man with a very small detaehment. I gave the sergeant orders — in case he should succeed, and was attacked by tiie (dan, with a view to rescue their chief — to kill him iustantlv, which 1 concluded would draw on the destruction of the detaelnnentj and furnish me with a sutlicient pretext (without w aitiug for any instructions) to maKch into their country, oh fanruls fait main hasftc, sans inisericorde. Would you believe that I am so bloody ? It was my real intention; and I hope such execution will be done upon the first that revolt, to teach them their duty, and keep the Highlands in awe.''^' They are a pco^jle better governed by fear than favour. My little governor talked to me, some time ago, of a parcel of musket-balls that belonged to us, which he ofl'ercd to scud us. We fire bullets continually, and have great need of them; but, as I foresee much diiliculty and expense in the removal, I wish he would bestow them, or a part, upon you ; and let me recommctul the practice, you'll soon find the advantage of * Evi\n i\r'Phevson, of Cluii}-, Lord Lovnt's son-in-law, had hci'ii a captain in one of the ludopendent Higliland c'oni])anios apiiointod l)y Government previous to llie rebellion of 1715. lie was made a willing prisoner by a party of the rebels, and joining the Pretender's eause, became an outlaw. Notwithstanding the vigilance of tlie military, lie eonti'ived to conceal himself for years after tlie battle of Culloden, and occasionally ventnred to join his family in his own castle. On one of these occasions — possibly the same that Wolfe sj)ealvS of — a detachment reiiaired to his house, in hopes of securing him. One of the clan, how- ever, perceiving the soldiers, gave warning of their a])))roacli, when, Cluny being intoxicated, his servants wrapped him n]) in a ])laid, carried him out, and concealed liim in tlie brushwood that skirled the river until the party had passed. (!Sce Audersou's ' Guide to the High- lands.') i;33-rj5.] DOVKU. — K\KTr,U. 311 [itoil by (■:iu>o. Itiiry, 1h' Icn, iiuil Iv oiu' of Ichmcnt 111, liow- wlion, li pi a ill, ]lcc\ ilio Uiiili- it. jMarksiiion arc nowlicri> so noccssarv as in a inouiitainoua country; besides, (ii-inj^ balls at objects tca(;lu;s the sol(li(;rs to level ineoinparably, makes the recruits steady, and removes tlic Ibolish appreliension that seizes young soldiers when tlicy first load their arms with bulU>ts. We lire, first singly, then by files, one, two, three, or more, then by ranks, and lastly by platoons; '.md the soldiers sco the ed'eets of their shots, especially at a mark or upon water, Wc shoot oblicpiely, and in dillercnt situations of ground, from heights downwards, and contrariwise. I use the freedom to mention this to you, not as one prescribing to another, but to a friend who nuiy accept or reject ; and because, possiljly, it may not have been thought of by your commander, and I have experience of its great utility, I have not bccu in London all this winter. If tlie state of our affairs had permitted it, 1 should certainly have waited upon your sister. You could not propose a thing more agree- able to me; for I think I must neccssarilv love all your kindred, at least all that love you. Pray ask Trap if he knows anything of T^ady Cullodcn"^ — how she is as to health; for I have a particular esteem for her, am obliged to her for civilities shown me, and interest myself in her Avelfare. She seemed, poor lady, to be in a very ill state of health when I was in that country. 1 could pass my time very pleasantly at Fort Augustus upon your plan, and Avith your assistance. There is no solitude with a friend, I hope to hear from you now and then, as your inclination prompts, or your leisure allows; the oftcucr the better. I wish you all manner of good, and am truly, my dear friend. Your faithful and affectionate servant, J. \V, Exotov, 7tli Marc'li, 1755. ;My compliments to iMrs, Trapaud and the governor, I was interrupted in the beginning of the letter, and the post came in from London before I began afresh. "t * Mrs. Forbes, orCiilloden. t A tviuhlioii exists, in Exeter, of a disturbauee in the town from ,;,'! i ^ 'I . 1 • 1 I'l ' ' ■ 1 ..'liifiii 312 LIFE OF WOLFE. !>■ > I ,M-)i ^ \ ., It will l)c ivcolK'ctc'd that Captain Alexander Trapand, whom Wolt'c fiuniliarly calls "Trai)," had been onu of his own ofHccrs wIkii at Fort Angnstus in 1752. In Jnuc, 175;'», he became Lieutenaiit-(iovernor of the fort; and so content was he with his Highland home, that ho remained there until his death, in Decend)er, 17U0, in tlie eighty-fourth year of his age. As there were no inns for the accommodation of tourists in this remote region during the thrcc-nnd-forty years of Trapaud's re- sidence, he occasionally had the opportunity of extend- ing his hospitality to strangers. Thus, in 1773, when Dr. Johnson and Boswell were on their way to tln^ Hebrides, they were ente'-Lained at Fort Augustus on the night of the 30th of August. " Mr. Trapaud, the Governor," says the Doctor, in his own stately style, " treated us with that courtesy which is so closely con- nected with the military character. He came out to meet us beyond the gates, and apologized that, at so late an hour, the rules of a garrison suffered him to give us entrance only at the postern."* Boswell tells us that the Governor was delighted with the Doctor's talk : — " I like to hear him (said he), it is so niajestick ; " and gives us a peep into the interior of the fort: — "It w\as comfortable to find ourselves in a well-built little square, and a neatly-furnished house, in tho circumstance of a soldier being struck on parade by, it is said, Wolfe Limself. " This," as the editor of a professional periodical re- marks, "is most likely incorrect, and may have been done by the Adjutant, or some other oUicer, as Wolfe had a great dislike to any- thing of the kind, and would not permit it on any account." (' !Naval and Military Gazette,' Saturday, July 13th, 1850.) * ' Journey to the Hebrides,' Johnson's Works, Oxford cd. vol. ix. p. 30. irsa-s.-).] DOVKIl. — I'.XP.TKH. 313 con- it h nor of 111 a l8C, in good company, and with a good snppcr before us ; in sliort, with all the convcMiicnccs of civilized life in the midst of rude momitains. Mrs. Trapaud, and the Go- vernor's daiiirhtcr, nnd her luisbcUid, Captain Newmarsh, were all most obliging and polite. The (jovernor had e.\- ccilent animal spirits, the conversation of a soldier, and somewhat of a i'^rcnchman,* to which his extraction en- titles him."t * Till' ri»])tniti and his hrotlicr, Gciirrnl (Cyrus) Tnipiuul. who dii'd iji ISOl, I lie oldi'st oIlii'iT in the scrvici', air said to liavc lict'ii (h'scoudrd tVoin Maivlial 'ruiviiiu'. Sci' iraydn's * iJook of I)i<,MiUirs,' \). M'J. t BoswoH's 'Journal ot'Tour,' itc; Luuduu, 17H5, p. 117. ! ( ' . 1 t / 5 said, .•al rc- |by Ihe to auy- Js'aval rol. ix. i ■ I'l I:.; ' I 314 CHAPTER XIV. WLXCIIESTEH.— SOrTIlA:^ri'TOX.-C.VNTEl?BrEY Mauch, 175o — May, 175(5. > . K^f TiiK Earl of Albemarle having died, at Paris, in Decem- ber, 17.") l, his eldest son, George, Lord Bury, suc- ceeded to the peerage, and was soon afterwards ap- pointed to a cavalry regiment. The colonelcy of the Twentieth being therefore vacant, Wolfe very justly considered that, after having efficiently commanded the corps for six years, he had a right to the promotion, or, at least, that none l)ut a General officer would be put over him. The appointment was in abeyance when he (juitted Ivxeter, and he remained in suspense for some days after his arrival at his new quarters in Winchester on the 2r)th of March. In a letter home on the follow- ing day, he cxju'esses his impatience to know whether it will be peace or war. " All my hopes of success," he w;ites, " must be grounded upon right and just preten- sions. I must serve, and serve well, or I cau't get for- ward ; for who will be at the trouble to solicit for me out of pure friendship?" Writing to liis father on the ['2{\\ of Aprd, he observes that Itoneywood's having been appointed to succeed Lord Bury ..as no conipli- 1 ;•;:)-:)(•).] Winchester. — Canterbury. 315 thcr it he Irctcu- }t foi- )r luc m the laving [mpli- iiicnt to hint, and tliat lie was resolved not to serve one moment longer than he could with honour, if he should starve.* After desiring the General not to speak about his vexation, he adds : " I am going to Portsmouth to see how the fleet liold their anchors in a storm, for the wind rages most violently." A few days after, Mrs. Wolfe is told—" It is dillieult to say wheth'^" there will be a war or not ; the French will determine that as they please, as it suits their in- terest or conveniency. If you arm yourself with j)hilo- so.phy, you are mistress of all events. • I have a natural indolence of temper that helps me in some cases, but 1 have too much impatience for nuich sharp pain." Re- verting to his dogs, about whom he would not trouble her did he not know that she loved them, he says : " Little Romp is come up, and a pretty creature she is. If you would have me keep her in preference to I'lurry, I can do it, and you may have her again when you get rid of the rest."t In his next letter to his father, the Lieutenant-Colonel explains the cause of his discontent. Lord Albemarle had hi formed him that the regiment was to be given to General lowke, and that he (Wolfe) was to be conti- * riiilip Iloiioywood was gazfttocl lo the coloiu'lcy of the Twcntiotli nil (ho Sth of April, 1755, and ivmoved iu ^lay tlip year followiiii; to the 91 h Dragoons. He rose to the rank of General, was many years tiovernor of JIuIl, M.l*. for A])]»lehy, and died in 17S5. t Another time he writes : " I am afraid llic eook gives the dogs too mueli meat; lle>-h is very dangerons for dogs, and spoils llieir noses. While Ball eats liis dinner, the coachman might lock nj) llie spaniels and give 'em a little pot-licpior. or hread and milk, or calnuid and water. Servants tiiink that a dog is never well fed unless lie gets scraps of salt beef, pork, etc., whereas these strong victuals are certain destrne- tion; and they should never want water.'' On another oeeasiou, he orders any dog that refused water to he instantly shot. \-\ '• t !V I" 310 LIFE Of WOIJ'E. . ! »■(: '•' I I * .' . * nucd in tlie command, when, three or four (Uiys afterwards, Iloneywood was appointed. Although by no means pleased, he endeavoured to console himself by the consi- deration that it would save liim additional pains and expense ; and says : " I may jog on in the easiest posi- tion in the army, and sleep and grow fat." Admirals Boscawcn and Moyston had sailed from Spithcad witli twelve sail of the line, and he feared that Boscawen would sweep away a uetachment of his best men sta- tioned at Plymouth. On the 1st of May, Wolfe was on a visit at Ereefolk, only fourteen miles from Winchester. Colonel Honey- wood had consented to his absence for two or three weeks, and he purposed running home to see his father and mother. Winchester was very dull, but five- or six- and-twenty young military men would enliven it. The l)eople in general were civil and obliging. On his re- turn from Blackheath to quarters, vovvards the end of May, his first business was to look out for a horse foi* his mother, but the horse he had been rcconuiiended turned out to be a broken-winded mare. He would try again, however, and won't rest till he sees her properly mounted. His restlessness is very apparent ; one day he is at Southampton, regulating the affairs of the detach- ment there ; another at Freefolk, whence he returns to W^inchester, wiieve they are going to execute a deserter, " which, though necessary, is a very dismal sight." On the 20th of June, Mi^^. Wolfe is informed that the fleet is more formidable than any England had ever fitted out, and that the arniy was getting more and more complete. The cost was the worst feature. He urges 17o.')-.V».] WINCH KSTER. — CANTERBURY. 317 ^Id try )perly lay he Ictacli- Irns to sorter, lat the ever more urges the propriety of the General's investing some capital in a little landed estate for her security, — two or three hun- dred a year. 'J'here nmst he some secure; j)rovision for her ; his father has his regiment, and lie himself has his "trade." lie dances incessantly, and mends upon it; his success will eneoiu'age him to be more the servant of the ladies. And iinally, reverting to public matters, he is going to Portsmouth, to see " the dreadful, though pleasing sight of our mighty navy." lie tells his father, on the 29th, that seven- or eight- and-twenty great ships, fully manned with able seamen, lie oft' Spithead, waiting for news from America. " In the meanwhile the naval officers cat and drink very com- fortably, and entertain their friends in a sumptuous man- ner." lie is going to Portsmouth again ; his Royal Highness the Duke is expected ; such a military scene is not to be neglected. lias lieard favourable reports of Braddock, and the good behaviour of the people under him. There are hopes of success if Haron Dieskau does not arrive in time with succours to stop his progress.* "Our aff'airs in the East Indies," he adds, "are upon the decline. At the expiration of the truce for three months, it is sup[)osed that hostilities will be resumed with as much violence as ever. Our military concerns are umler the guidance of a very poor, insigniticant ollicer, and the death of Scott is an irr('paral)l(> damage to the Indian Army."t * Tlic Frciu'li (ionoi'iil, Haron (U- Dieskau. had rccciilly Immmi soiii y '. 1 '( il I I • i' 318 MFK Of WOLFE. I I 1^, t ! On the Licutcnaiit-Coloiiers return to Winchester after his second visit to Portsmontli, the General is in- formed tliat the scene was splendid. The Dnke, who was well received, had been remarkably kind to him. He had dined with Lord Anson on board the ' Prince,' and Governor liawley, as vivacious and spirited as ever, was at his post to receive his Royal Highness.* AVolfe then states that he is going back to Southampton, and, while in the ueighbourhood of his Aunt Burcher, he w^ould wait upon her if he knew her direction. Amidst his professional distr^^ctions, the dangerous illness of his mother calls forth an admirable token of filial piety : — Lymiugton, lOtli July, 1755. Dear INIadam, I wish I could say anything that could comfort you or ad- vise anything that would do you good. By gentle exercise and care of yourself I hope your strength will return, and with that your spirits. I h'^ve gratitude and tenderness enough to be greatly affected at your distress, and though grief is not to be sought after, yet I would not for the wo^ld but partake of all your misfortunes. Would to God that the little moment that is allowed us in this life had some ease and peace in it, M. Godlicu ami ]\rr. Siumders, on the lltli of October, 1751, and on the 2(!tli of December a ])i'ovisioual treaty was signed. Tlie i^ ;ignili- cant ollieer to whom "Wolfe alhules was (.'olonel Aldereron, who, after the death of Colonel Scott, had su])erior rank in the Eoyal Army in India, and conse(iuentl3^ took precedence of Clive. See Keighlley's 'History of Indiji.' ])\). (il). 72. * Tlie '(Gentleman's ^lagazine' gives a vivid account of the Duke's reception at Portsmouth : — " His Koyal Higlmess was met by the rojic- makers of the dockyard, threi; miles from the town, in white shirts and black caps, carrying streamers in their hands. They ran before his landau into the town. . . . The bells rang, coloui's were disjdayed, and cverj'thing to demonstrate the pleasure of the iidiabitants in seeing his Eoyal Highness amongst them." (July, 1755.) 1755-50.] WINCHESTER. CANTERBURY. 319 [or (ul- and with h to ot to vC of jmcnt in it, md on ii^uili- , after my ill il ley's )uke's •ts aucl )vc his h1. iUltl Mig his or that wc had firmness enough to overcome our ills. I know you would be content Avith a little share of health, and fur my part, 1 have nothing to ask but just as much resolution as iits a soldier. For riches, honours, ^K)^sessions, and the dazzling advantages of this world, I disregard them; my utmost desire and ambition is to look steadily upon danger, and the greatest happiness that I wish for here is to see you happy, llesigna- tion to the will and disposition of Heaven is so consistent with piety, charity, and a good mind, that 1 doubt not your thorough resignation. Don't let a thought about me disturb you. You have done more than I am afraid 1 deserve. 1 lanuMit that ever I gave you a moment of uneasiness, though, I think, I did not mean it, and of that I hope you will be convinced. I wish you better health with great sincerity, and beg my duty to ray father. Such is the afFcctioiiatc consolation of the son. On the very same day he wrote to his old coni})anion Rick- son, who was, at this time, Aide-de-camp to Major- General Lord George Hcauclcrk, at Inverness. The contrast presented by the two letters shows how for- cibly the writer could express the opposite phases of his mind : — My dear Friend^ If I had not been mcU convinced by your letter that you needed not my counsel to guide you, and that the steps you were taking were prudent and sensible beyond what I could advise, you should have heard froni me something sooner ; for the public service, and your honour aiul Avell-doiug, arc matters of high concern to me. I am sorry that I cannot take to myself the merit of having served you upon this occa- sion. I would have done it if it had ijcen in my power ; but I knew nothing of your new employment till Cak-raft men- tioned it to me.* You are, I believe, so well in the Duke's * John Calcraft, oriiiiiially a clerk in the War Ollieo, was the most iullucutial army ageul of the lime. After enriehing himself under the t \ I r I, • r 320 I-IFE OF WOT.FE. I -■ > ' opinion, that jNIr. Fox liad no diHiculty to place you wlioro you arc, and where, T am fully persuaded, you will aequit yourself lia'.idsoniely. To study the eharaeter of yotir General, to conform to it, and by that means to <;ain his esteem aiul con- fidence, arc such jrulieious measures that they cannot fail of good eflects. If I am not mistaken. Lord George is a very even-tempered man, and one that M'ill hearken to a reasonable projjosal.^ If the French resent the affront put upon them by ]\Ir. Boscawen,t the war will come on hot and siulden ; and they will certainly have an eye to the Highlands. Their friends and allies in that country were of great use to them in the last war. That famous diversion cost us great sums of money and many lives, and left the Pata-Bas to Saxe's mercy. I am much of your opinion, that, without a considerable aid of foreign troops, the Highlanders will never stir. I believe their resentments arc strong, and the spirit of revenge pre- valent amongst them ; but the risk is too great without help : liowcver, we ought to be cautious and vigilant. We ought to liavc good store of meal in the forts to feed the troops in the winter, in case they be wanted ; plenty of intrenching tools and hatchets, for making redoubts and cutting palisades, etc. ; and we should be cautious not to expose the troops in small parties, dispersed through the Highlands, Mhcrc there is the M : M pfitronaj^e of Ilciny Fox (Lord Ilolland), he deserted to Pitt, wlioso confidence lie possessed for many years, as ai)pears from the ' Chatham Con-espondenco.' Calcraft is su])posed to liare been in the secret of " Junius ;" j-et that writer aeeuses him of riotinjf in the plunder of tlie armj', and becoming a])atriot because he could not be a peer (Letter 51*). He died at Ingress Abl)e3', Kent, in 1772, worth u])wards of a quarter of a million sterling ; and bequeathed CKKlO to Sir PhiHp Francis, and to Lady Francis an annuity of £"2n<). * Lord George Beauelerk, sixth son of Cliarles, first Duke of St. Albans, was Colonel of the 10th Eegiment, and a ^Major-General. lie was Commander-in-chief in Scotland for some time, Member of Parlia- ment for Windsor, and died in 17(»S. t The capture of the ' Alcide ' and the ' Lys,' ofl'Cape Breton, when the Governor of Louishourg, with four French olficei-s of note, were made prisoners, and £3(),00i1 sterling taken. 1 7 '>■>-■>('.'] W I N C U EST!', R .- -CANTERBURY. 321 •vo yoii our self ral, lo \([ con- fail of a Norv souablc by :Mr. ul tlicy friends I in the i" money ;rcv. I iblc aid believe ige pre- ut help : (Ugllt to in the iig tools |es, etc. ; small is the t, Avhoso 'liatliain socrot of |er of'llio ?ttor5l>). quar( or licis, and to of St. }al. He If Parlia- \n, -wlicn te. were least apprehension of a commotion. A few well-chosen posts in the middle of those clans that arc the likeliest to rebel, with a force suflieient to entrench and defend themselves, and with positive orders never to snrrender to the Ilighhmders (thongh never so immerons), bnt either to resist in their posts till relieved, or force their way through to the forts, would, I think, have lively effects. A hundred soldiers, in my mind, are an overmatch for live hundred of your Highland milice ; and when they are told so in a proper way, they believe it themselves. It will be vonr business to know the exact strength of the rebel clans, and to inquire into the abilities of their leaders, especially of those that are abroad. There are people that can inform you. There ought to be an engineer at the forts to inform the General of what .ill be wanted for their defence, and to give directions for the construction of small redoubts, wh^re the General pleases to order them. Nobody can say what is to become of us yet. If troops are sent into Holland, we expect to be amongst the first. We are c|uartercd at Winchester and Southampton, but turned out for the assizes. The fleet at Spithead expects orders to sail every hour. They are commanded by Sir E. llawke, who has the Admirals Byng and West to assist him. There arc about thirty great ships, and some frigates ; the finest fleet, I believe, that this nation ever put to sea, and excellently well manned. The marines embarked yesterday, to the number, I suppose, of about 1000 men ; others will be taken up at Plymouth, if they are wanted. I lodged with a Mrs. Grant,* whom perhaps you know. She was very careful of me, and very obliging. If you see iicr, it will be doing me a pleasure if you will say that I remember it. Do you know Mrs. Forbes, of Culloden ? I have a particular respect and esteem for that lady. She showed me a good deal of civility while I lay in the North. If you are acquainted, pray make my best compliments to her, and let me know how she is as to her health. Au resfe, vou must be so kind to write now and then, and T will be punc- * WliPii he was stationed at Inverness. Y t , i ':< ! »' i r¥- r. Q .) o \.\VV. OF WOLFE. \ :. >l. I . t I ' tiKil to answer, and give any intelligence of what is (ioing where I happen to be. A letter, directed to me at Ciene»">l AVolfe's, at Hlaekheath, Kent, will be forwarded to the re- motest regions. 1 am, my dear friend, Your alleetionatc and faithful servant, Jami;s \Volfi:. Lvniington, lOtli July, 17.')5. Having paid the })roniised visit to his fatlicr's sister in the New Forest, the interview Avith his poor rekition is described in the following to the General ; — Soutluiniptoii, lltli Au intiinidatt' the rest, wiieii tliey ati I'mpted in vain to rally theui, some others, who escaped the same fate, discharged tlieir ])ieces at their officers," (Scots ^lagaziue, 1755, p. 4o:}.) t An expedition sailed from Plymouth for Port L'Orient, on the t was with ) was twitli- •re no A\y to means from 1755, within i mas- rcpcti- cihI by II have , 1755. 'ct clear )nt I do Itho uicu U not a use and antry in r valour hard to through Their Alelle.t k was nol Loii^h to IfUl, SOUll" !it ihtMr It, oil the Uuj-fjO.l WINCH l',8Ti:il. — CANTKKIU'RY. and tipon many less important occasions, clearlv denoted the extreme ifjnorauee of the ollicers, and the disohedicnt and ntly upon the dirty iidia- bitants of it under the (U'nomiuation of soldiers? 1 am sorry to say that our method of traiiun-^- and instructing tiic troops isextreuudy defective, and tends to no i^ood end. We arc lazy in time of pcjice, and of course want xi^iiance and activity in war. Our military education is hy far the worst in Murope, and all our concerns are treated with contempt or totally neg- lected. It will cost us very dear some time hence. 1 hope the day is at a distance, but I am afraid it will come. On the 13th of September wc find Wolfe once more at Freefulk, from which place he congratulates his mother upon the benefit she had derived from Mr. Warde's new medicine, and says, that if he had thought Ins being with her dming the violeni r of her illness would have been any relief to her, he would have asked leave as a favour; but, being unaccu-tomed to sick people, he would only have been grieved to sec her in a state h^ could not alleviate. A week later, he writes from Southampton to his father, and speaks of his aunt Ahthorpe's death as a mercy, since she could hardly have const of Brittany, yo))ttMnbc>r lltli, 171f). The h\ii(l (orcos, uikUh' (iencral Siiu-lair, disoiubarkod on the IStli, sunuiioiicil )lio town to sur- ri'MiU'r, llrcd ii|ion it. i'c-t>nil>arki'd without obstacle, iiiid returned to KiiL,daiul on the l-lth of October. Tbe men went niaraiKbni; aliout tlio country, and upwards of ;100 wore kibed hy tlic Frencli peasautr}'. The ad'air at MeUe, in 17t5. has l)een noticetb * ll is not iniprohahlc that these reih'ctions ])r(>ni])ted Wolfe, when soon afterwards stationed at (.'anterbiuy, to issue his "instructions f(jr the Twentieth l{ei,Mnient in case the Frencii shoukl huul." They were l»ubbshod in several periodicals after his death. • I 320 1,1 IK Ol' WOLFK. iji ,. \ I ' rt'coviM't'd liir licaltli, owing to her fanatical notions of i't'Ii«j[ion. 'riiu letter to liis niotlier wliieli follows, n»ay be al- lowed to s])eak for itself: — Soutlmnipton, 2Mth iSopti'mlKT, 1735. Dear ]\ra(lam, I nni (leli;;litr(l to hear that your stifferin^s arc in .^onic degree lessened ; the preseiiec of your friends uill hecoine every day more and more tigreeahle as you ac(|uire strength and spirits for soeiety. How happy 1 feel myself in your reeoverv, and Mith how nnieli more satisfaction shall I s((> you than formerly, when 1 almost always found you over- loaded with iniserv ! I dare say von wnv. always eonvinccd ol' my alleetion ("or yon, and of my gratitiule. It was not this melancholy occasion that gave l)irth to it, though perhaps it l)rought it more to light. 1 am mifortunate in this respect, that my nature requires some extraordinary events to pro- duce itself. 1 want that attention and those assiduous cares that commonly go along with good-nature and hunumity. In the comn\on occurrences of lifcj I own that I ain not seen to advantage. You nuist take care of cold this winter, as the medicine yon have nsed is of very powerful operation, and leaves a M'cakness behind it that requires the utmost precautions. When you are below in the parlour, the hall-door shoidd always be kept close shut, and you nnist sit upon carpets.* * Tlic penonil use of floor-carpets is of comparatively recent diitc. TJie lirNt cnrpet made iu En;,daii(l wa.s manufactured {circa \l'.\'i) liy OHO Antliouy Dullosy, wJio was l)rou^lit over from I'raiice hy Lord Pembroke. A ])atent foi- llie exclusive privilege of mauufacturiiiif ear])ets in Enf^land was soon afterwards obtained by a firm in Wilton. The ])atent si)ecifyin,j UlNCIII,.STEll. — CANTKUIUHV ;i27 JUS of be ul- 11 aonio tlTUf^tll in vour 11 I soc u ovcr- luvincc'il not tins rliaps it respect, to pi'o- ns cares muniity. not seen ncdicinc leaves a lantions. should arpets."^' ll'Ut (llllf. 17:^)) l.y t)y Ltiril lliuiuriiiii ■1 Wihoii. Ill l)ol)l>in IS till 'he \/)l)iii mid \r cai'iicts. ill' owiiii^ scouring' There are n\any fair days in October that will invite you out, and you shoidd nc^ilect noiu' ofthcui. Prefer that to all other allUirs and concerns whatever. Vou niUHt he eNtrcnielv earo- t'ul ol' what rooms you •j;o to play at cards in, and where you sit; and hewarc oC the Asseinhly. Have? as many parties at your own house as pos^ihlc, and |;o little abroad. in the niiddli! of winter, if vou stav nuieh at home, I will come and shut nivself up with vou for three weeks or a nu)nth, and play at pi(piet from uioruiu<^ till night, and you shall lau;;h at my short red hair as niueh as you please.* I'm sure! vou would suiile now if \()u saw me as I am with the eov(>riiig that nature has given nie. 1 intend to devote niysi'lf this wintiT to my profession, and shall read without ceasing. If you would have me with you for a short while, it must be upon tlu> condition that I neVer stir out of the hous{< after dinner. With that indulgence, I shall engage to be at home; whenever vou are in tlu; evening. Mv mornings are always, as you know, divided between exercise and study. I have been verv idle all this summer, — if a man n)av venture to say so who has given up nuieh of his time to the ladies. If there is to be a war, we should be [jrepan d for it ; if not, I am entirely at your service. I go back to-morrow to Sir .). iSrordaunt's for a week; after that I shall take up my residence at Winchester. After leaving Froefolk, on the 4tli of October, the Lieutenant-Colonel met the regiment at Winchester, where the several detachments assembled to be reviewed, ill the Hist instance by General Mordaimt, and afterwards !iii(l sii'ikiiiij;. (lJntton'8 ' Bpnutics of WiUshire ;' and ' lifiuitii's of ICiit;- laiid iiiicl WaU's,' "NWirci'stcrsliire.) * flit' (lillii'ulty )u' t'lvtiui'iitly experienced in finding "a sf^od lionest S^roeiii that could dress awiij," may have imhiced him to anticij)ale tho i'ashioii ol' (lolling the article. Ollict-rs were often nicknamed liy the n>en from tlieir wigs; tlius, Lieu'.. -General Wiiitet'ord was known as U7ii/e-iri(f ; two (ienernls named Pattison were Queue and Tiniple; and .Mr. Wood, of tlie Artillery, was called Wiii-Wmnl. to distinguisU him from another oilleer of the same name. (Circse's ' Olio.) r. 'I 11148 — rrnnrrrntimi 82S LIFE 01' WOLFE. H I . I : !i by the Duke of Cuinhcrlaiul. " Our whole business," he writes, " seeuis to be contincd to reviews." A fortuiglit ai'terwurds he remarks to his father : — " When the nations have armed themselves to the highest piteh of their strength, I suppose they will try which is the strongest. The French are getting their fleet into oriler, and threaten an invasion. Hostilities have begun in Europe and America." Tnder these circumstances, he again urges the necessity of providing a little landed security for his mother. " Should the war turn out to our disadvantage, she may be in danger of starving, if you keep all your money in the funds. You have your regiment, and my employment is always bread ; but my mother may outlive the struggle, and then who will help the poor lady ? " From the next and last letter from Winchester, written on the 24th of October, to Mrs. Wolfe, we learn that the troops are moving towards the coast. He is at a loss to conjecture whether this is a real or a political invasion, but hopes it will end well. Fisher, the General's agent, or Tim Brett, might assist in finding a little estate ; but as it would be in- consistent with his father's honour to sell out his stock just then, it w^ould be well to wait awhile. The letter concludes with these words : — In case of iui invasion, 1 imagine my father will think it his dutv to he at the licad of iii.s ri'j'imcnt, at least as much as his strength will allow. Slionkl matters be carried far, and money be wanted, lie shonld he the first to offer his plate for the public service. lie might buy a post-ehaise, and hire horses to be in readiness ; and if ever he is distressed for quarters, he may be sure of mine, or my field-bed in camp. The General should show himself at St. James's with a cheerful, 1 1 .)■) -:,,;.] W I N {; 1 1 K S T K 11 . — C A N T F, H H U 11 Y 321) might be ill- stock letter think it Is much Uir, and for the horses luartcrs, The hccvful, uilHug counteuauco, that the King may sec hew good a servant he has, and how wi-U his incUnations lead him to servo the good ohl monareh. If ever you hajjpen to be distressed, you will find a certain snjjport in your son. \iv assured that you will kr.ow me best when von have most occasion for mv as- sistance; but I desire no such i)roof of my disposition. May you both live long in ease and p(>aee; but 1 fear there are ugly times at hand. Perhaps we may not see them. It is not easy to bring home to ourselves now the panic throughout {'iiiglaiul at the period under notice, from the expected invasion by the French, when a wed- ding cor/rf/r so alarmed the inhabitants of the villages through which it passed, that they sliut themselves up in their houses, and arming themselves with pitchforks, etc., cried out, " The invasion is come ! "* Amongst the troops moved into Kent was Iloneywood's regiment, which was quartered in Canterbury. On the 5tii of November, the liieuteuant-Colonel wrote a short letter home, in which he says: — "We have two regiments of Foot and a regiment of Dragoons, a crowd of otticcrs and soldiers. General llawley is expected in a few days, to keep us all in order. If there is an invasion, they could not make use of a more unlit person ; for the troops dread his severity, hate the man, and hold his military knowledge in contempt." 'Wc following letter to Mrs. AVolfe needs no abridgment : — • Gautcrbury, 8th 2s^ovcml)er, 1755. Dear Madam, The otHcers of the army in general are persons of so litilc application to business, and have been so ill educated, that it must not siu'prise you to hear that a man of conmion industry * IScc Mrs, Dflauy's Aut•( 11(1 c J' ///i/sfrioKs. + (.'liMilos SixMicer, fifth F-larl of Sunderland, and .soi'onJ J)ukeof]\rarI- borouffji, was grandson of the first and threat Duk(>, who, leavinji; no male issue, liis titles and honours were extended, l)v Aet of Parliament, to the male issue of his dau^liters. On the death of Henrietta, J)ueli('ss of Marll)orouHh, the above-uientioned Cliai-les, as son and lieir of Lady Anne Churebill, the second dauf^hter, became Duke of M a i-l borough. Haviiifj; entered the army, he foUi,dit at nettiuffen, etc., and rose to the raidv of Lieutenant-General. In IToS.he was the C'ommander-in-eliiof of the Ihitish forces on the Lower lihinc, and died of fever at Muuslcr, nn tlie 20|li of Octolter. u o t mis- know, cncc a lerally I aiix iilcl do itratc^ atal to t some mppovt (I shall jf such o\ouse sha'u't thich is writing- inalitics ugh has mc ; he French t rea(.'U )ul(l rc- c some of auy- Ihigh in Ic yrivi- |use of to ofMiU'I- no iiKilc lllUMlt. to J)lK'lu'SS of Lady lioroaiili. i d. Tlie first article of the C'usluinal of Kent declares " mat al' ii' bodies of Kentish men be free," — a valualile boon niuler the cudul system. The men of Kent likewise claimed the ritrht of beirsj jihiced ill the vaniruard of the King's army ; hence Drayton's en! .y on the count V : — " Of all the f^nglish shires be thou surnamed the free. And foremost ever placed, when they shall reckoned be." (See Hasted's • Kent.' Land)arde's ' Perambulation,' etc.) t The Didie of Kichmond obtained a captaincy in the regiment mider Wolfe, and his (irace's example was followed by the Marquis of Bland ford. < I , r 1 -4.^AMBliifB_> 332 MI'F, OF WOLFK. { 111 his next letter home, our hero puts in a plea for his father's Lieutenant-Colonel : — C'iiiitorhtiry. ]'Mh Xovoinl)(.'r, 1755. Dear Sir, I find tlwit jioor Lafiuisille has been extremely out of order. Nothing hut the worst health in the world would, I am persuaded, have taken him away at this time. I mention this, because I remember that a sharp expression or two fell from n\v u[)on the score of my old acquaintance; and when one has done a man injnstiee, hnt in thought, the quickest and best reparation should be made. I Iiear that the French arc hard at work in cleaning the liarbonr of Dunkirk, and T hear they have got a good number of ships in that port. The English will never bear to have that harbour in its former condition ; that alone is matter enough for a quarrel between the nations, already far ad- vanced towards a war. We send a detachment to-morrow to escort our l)attalion guns (two for each regiment) from Ro- chester. Our camp necessaries will be with us in a few days. We are commanded to exercise as often as is convenient, that is, as often as the weather will permit. I am vastly distressed for a groom, or, rather, for a servant, who can take care of two horses for .£7 or .(^8 a year, and seven shillings a week board wages. If my mother hears of any such person, 1 beg to have notice, and I beg she will employ somebody to inquire. He writes to his mother, on the 2iid of December: — I hear of you almost every day, which makes me some auKMuls for the profnnul silence that reigns throughout the whole house. Donnellan tells yon all the news of this place, and yet I believe his hitters are short ; however, better so than lists of the killed and wounded, or the progress of the French arms in Kent. They are extremely concenied that Admiral Smith is so posted as to nuike their attempts to land a little dangerous. Tliey do not, I am sorry to say, discover the same degree of respect for us ; on the contrary, they wish for )r his .755. out ol' )ul(l, I cutioii v,o tell I wlieu uickest ng the luuiher o Imve matter far ad- rrow to jm Ro- w clays, nt, that tressed care of a week , 1 hci? 1 quire, )er : — Ic some but the lice, and ?o than Irreneh Ldmiral la little Ic same lish ^br 1755-5G.] WIN CHESTKR. — CANTERHURY ;33i3 nothing so much as to he quietly on shore, and tlien to make trial of our force. AVe Iiavc the name of the Duke of ]\Iarl- l)orough to oppose to them, and some iucomparal)lc hattahons, the like of which cannot, I'll venture to say, be found in any army. Wc are about as merry, as easy, and as inditlercnt as you may be supposed to be uho sleep in security under our watch. Nobody seems to tliink that the French have cither will, power, or inclination to resent the all'ronts i)ut upon them ; and some, I bclie\e, doubt whether they arc really out of humour with us or not. This mclaneboly destruction of the city uf Lisbon is a great blow, though at a distance.* Long mav such disasters be far off from us. On the 27th of the '^an.ic month the Lieutenant-Colonel tells his mother that liicy were so crowded together in Canterbury as to make him fear ill consequences, and the streets he describes as the dirtiest in the world. Speaking of the commission for the widow's son already alluded to, lie says : — " The letter you sent me came from the widow of a poor officer who was kilhul at I'on- tenoy ; she has a son fit to serve, and Lord Albemarle has undertaken to get hini a pair of colours. I met with her by accident in my journey through Ireland, so, you see, I did not go there for nothing." As regarded himself, he had no prospect of preferment. If he knew how to secure his father £500 a year, in ''asc he should give him his regiment, he might manage that j but would not enter into any arrangement without tlie Commander- in-chief's promise that it should be restornd to the General should his son fall at the head of it i otherwise, the risk would be too great. On the 8th of February, 17oG, the Lieutenant-Colonel says : — " I believe the French would be pleased to invade * The lutal cartliquake ou tlie 1st of Nuvtinbor. "J .334 LIFE OF WOI,FF,. i|,. :i: 1 \ ' I .■ i i ! us, if they knew how to get over. j\Iy o})inion is, that they will try what tlieir fleet ean do first, and if they bent ours, tlien wc may expect a very forniiduble attaek. We have been rather tardy in providing against tlieir great power, bnt 1 still hope that it is not too late. The con- fidence, or rather stupidity, of the people of this country surj)asses all belief. Secure in their ignorance and pre- sumption, they set the whole force of J'' ranee at defianci." j\Irs. AA'olfe's brother. Captain Hradwardinc Thomp- son, died about this time, after a lingering illness. Al- Inding to the circumstance, her son writes : — " I can't say I am sorry for my })()or uncle's death, otherwise than as it is a luaLu r of concern to you." The Duke's coming, he adi! • n)nst determine his going to town. From two short 1( iicrs of the l.:3lh of March, we learn that the re- giment, ^v))icli lay awhile at Dover, had suddenly marched U'n i^oi*.'!iiouth. All notions of ])(>ace were at an end ; the hi. ' discerning })eople were of opinion that war nuist be the conserpience of the steps taken by us in re- turn for the attempts of the French. Embargo had been laid uj)on shipping, and there was a violent press for seamen : putting soldiers also on board the fleet showed that the maritime strengtli of the enemy was for- midable. " However,'' the writer adds, " we must hope that fortune will favour us, since we will do our best to deserve her smiles." A few davs afterwards Wolfe learned that his friend Amherst had got a regimen^, and J remarks to his father thennpon — "Nobody desc'ves the King's favour better than that man."* In the sa:ne * JoU'rey, aftorwanls Lord Anilic\'c.i, was a])))oiiil('il lo flic colonclcv of tlic 15t]i Foot, Mux 22iul, 175(;. [ii),)-i) <■'■] WINfllESTER. — CANTERBURY 33; Uoiiclcy letter, he states tlmt tlie Guards, who had l)een sent to Dover, coinforted themselves with the hope of being soon i-ef'alled. On the 4th jjf April, he wi-ites : — " 'J'lie fine season will call us to business, and leave no excuse for the indolent. Many who call themselves soldiers, who, to excuse their shameful idleness, ur<^e that there will be no war, act as if they were })ersuaded of the truth of it." A fortnight later the Lieutenant-Colonel tells his fa- ther he has not been successful in the matter of young Adcane's commission, as t:ic boy was too young, and wanted "a year more of the school."* lie likewise al- ludes to the case of two unfortunate Ensigns, who were to be proceeded against in course of Connnon Law, one or both of whom were sure to be condeumed ; and, un- less their youth and their condition when they com- mitted the ill action should [)lead in their favour, forfeit their lives. The Cieneral being aware of the particulars, Wolfe does not narrate them ; but contemporaneous perio- dicals furnish details of the painful story. A Mr. lirown and Ah'. John Lauder, subalterns of Lord Charles Hay's regiment, were travelling in a ])ost-ehaise from Dartford to London. On reaching Shooter's ILiU the post-boy naturally allowed his horses to slacken their pace, in spite of the drunken ofHci-rs' threats. Brown at length jumped out of the chaise and knocked the boy down, * James "Wliovwood, son of iSimoii Adoniic, Ks{|., of C'liiil^rovc, OxfordsliiiT, and ^Nlaiy. third dauiflirer of tlie Hon. and iu'v. Ifcnry Brydi,'os (sistei* lo Mrs. Inwood ami Miss Brydiics). In 17SS lie was a[)- jMiinti'd to the colonelcy of the '15th UeginuMit. and Ix'canie a lieutenant- general. He was €a gentleman of the lu'dchamber to (ieorge III.. M.P. for the county of Cambridge, and died in 1S02. . ^ \' ' i MBMM 380 LI IK or woMi:. I' ' and Lnudur, following his coni))nin'on, drew his sword, and ran it throngh tlic victim with snch violence; that the point stnck in the gronnd. They were tried at Roches- ter, when Lander was t'onnd gnilly of unirder, and three days afterwards was execnted on Penenden Heath.* Towards th(! end of April j\Irs. Wolfe is ai)prised that her son will visit her for three or fonr days ; bnt, as he wishes to be retired, she mnst not mention it to any one, to save the tronble of visits. His last letter from Can- terbury is dated the 2()th of May, 1750, when the regi- ment had got the route, bnt as they would go no nearer to Blackheath than Westerham, he cannot wait upon his parents. "You can't imagine," he concludes, "how many heavy hearts there are ; mine, althongh not alto- gether insensible, is the least oppressed of a score." '!■'■ * III the samo iiioiitli n raptJiin of Dranoona mnrtally stabbotl tho landlord of llu' Yuw Tavern, in Bond Street, for not allowing him 1o sneak ofl' without pajinf; for his ni^rht's earousc ; and another ollicer \vfis killed by an infuriated corkcutter, whose wife he had sedueed. Vl 337 CllAPrER XV. DEVIZKS.— STUorn.— CIKENCES.'.KK. Jink, 1750 — ]\Iahch. 1757. On the 1st of June the regiment arrived at Basingstoke, — about 1:20 miles from Canterbury, — after being v.Uven «Iays on the road. The same evening \\'olfe v.-rites to his motiier : — III our nuuvh \\c luivo met with iiothiiifi: oxtraordiimrv ex- cept the Hessian Grenadiers, whom we saw at exercise yest(>r- (lay near Faruhani. We have ruined half the puhlicluniscs u[)ou the niareli, because they have qiuirt(>rcd us iu viUages too i)oor to feed us without destruction to themselves. I saw Mr. and INIrs. \\'ardc at Wcstcrham : thev asked much after you aiul the General, and presented their complinu'uts. The Lisbon mail is arrived, so you may exi)cct sonu^ account of the siege of Fort St. Philips, and of Admiral liyng's feats in the ^reditcrranean. If things take a bad turn, and by our nia- uagcnuMit I don't know what other to exfjcct, this war nuiy rout the fundi aiul destroy our public credit root and branch.* * On till' Kith of tlio same iiiDiitli, Pitt wroto IVoiii " lla^'os " lo Mr. (Jrciivillc : — '"As to (/»« si/ lioniami loco res, 1 iuu almost as far Ironi till' licariiiif of it in our suhurliaii villa'j;c as you arc in tlio midst of your ([uict wide-sjuTad lawn and din']) cmhow oriii^ woods. I lioar, Jiowever, from rumour that clouds i,nitlicr on every side, and distress- infinite distress — seems to hem us in on all (juarters. The sanu' flcak, iiil'atiiatcti conduct that bej^at this distress seems determined to iiu'rease and nudlii)ly it u])on our head.''. Wo are helpless and childisji as ever, Z f< 33b i.iir, OF w 01,11,. r '^ y s . |j i The next K tttn* (Jiiiu! 7) is iVoiii Bristol, Avliitlur W'ollr had L'oiiu) with lh(; Duke oi' Kichiiioiul : — As I ;jilievc tliat all the infuiitrv of this nation i.s not snlli- (lent to Tctukc tlu! Island of Minorca (hy this time in tlu; hands of the Kiench), and as six or seven battalions nniy Ik* thf>'"j:lit enon<>h for the defenee of (jil)raUar, — the Spaniards not iuterferinir, — I conchidc \\c shall lie (juiet in our west eonntry eainj) or (^narters till the enemy thinks to alarm ns a second time with (lesi;j;n to sti'ike some fatal distant blow, either npon oin' islands or npon the continent of North Anuv I'iea, or perhaps to compkie the rnin of (he East Indii-s. Arc the measures taki ii for the relief of Minorca, or the pro- ceedings of our Admiral lO he most admiiedV 1 shall he of your opinion hereafter, ihat we must havi' the odds of ti\e to four to secure our success at sea. 1 tiatter myself that thi> poor little abandoned garrison of St. lMiili[)'s will do courafic- ously Jit least, — wisely and skiU'ully 1 do not expect; and that the troopy in ^.le ecnuse of the war will do nothing dishonour- able, nor i)etrav their couutrv. iMiuorcii fiiniishcs almost the sole toj)ic of Wolfe's letters about this time; but it is )U ('(Hess to iuteiTU[)t the persoual uan'iUivc l)y any remarks upou a subject so gem 1 ally familiar. So!!k> tiine after bis return to (juar- ters, the foUowiiig caustic note was dispatched to his father : — ■ Devizes, 27th Jime, 17 JO. Dear Sir, I wish you joy of Admiral Byng's escape, and of the safe arrival of our fleet at Gibraltar. General IMakeney has no great obligations to the Navy upon this occasion. They have and worse still ; if any anionic tlie iiiiiii>ti*v Ji'c disposi'd to l)o iiu'U. 1 hear they would Ive iiiiuliiieii. lor tlie i'ei>irt is tluit we have no Coutiueiit war. So iiiueh for tliose al the helm I The i)asseni,fcrs. the eity of ah denoiniuations are in alnnn, and think the shij) sinking." (Grenville Correspondeiiee, vol. i. p. 1(>7.) ii ir.'.r)-.');.] DEVIZES. — CIHENCKSTKU. IVM) tlicr sulU- ii the ay bo NVC'sl 11 us H blow, Anu;- luclu"*. \C \)VO- 1 1)C of tivi' to I lilt the; ounij-v- .uA thiit hououv- pt the ect so o ([iiur- to bis ., I7.jti. the sale lias no icy luive oe iiu'u. 1 .'oniiiu'ut ■ity of nil Uii-ouvilK' loft him ill an uj;ly scrape, out of whieh. I am pcrsuuded, he will only be dclivrrcd liy a cauuou-shot. The project of siie- eonrni": Mi iiiorea, and the execution of the urcat desiy-n, went hand-in-hand successfully, and may |ir()ba!)ly end in a dis- pracetul peace. Von are happy in your iullrmity, f(»r 'tis a disf^raee to act in these (lish()iH)ural)le times. Our new colonel is expected to-day ; liis {jrescncc makes me a very idle man.* The iiiicieiit fowii of Devizes, situated U|)()n liigh m'ouiul ill the middle of Wiltshiiv, was even then of r()nsi(h'rid)l(! e\tent, with ii liiri>e trade in hroad-doth. The houses, mostly of brick, having been built at va- rious times and in ditVerent styles, their irn iuiarity gave a fpiaint aspect to the narrow, crooked si. •ts.f Al- though the duration of Wolte's stay in Devi. was l)rief, there as elsewhere, tradition associates his name \\ith the 1 ilace d 1 an old nouse, once an nin, a t tl w i)acK o f the Town Jlall, bi'iiig still pointed out as thai in which he resided while eidisting soldiers into his regiment. | There is soniethinu; so sacred about traditional associa- tions, that, hazy and disti.rtcd though they commonly are, one should be cautious of disturbing them. IJnt, as Wolfe loved quietness, and, when he could ])0ssil)ly do so, sought a retired locality tor his abodi^, it looks im- probable that he should lodge at an inn in the centre of the town, Tlu; local tra(liti(jn, however, is sulliciently * William I\iiii,'sl(>y succiH'dcd lloiu'vwood in llie I'dloiu'lcy of the Twciitietli on till' 'J2ii([ May, irjCt, and tlio reijinuMit is hotter kiK \vu as •• lviiii,'s]oy's " lliun hy any other name, lie eouimaiideil the eurps at y\ inilen. w lien the valour and diseipline of the men w horn Wolfe had trained contril)uted ;^reatly to tlie victory. Colonel Ivin<;sley was \>ru iiioted to the rank of hieutenant-(ieneral in 17 V t/j 340 LITE or WOLFE. V I I 1-1 f-.'-^ ■^ - 1 -; , supported by the fact tlmt business brought him occa- sionally to the inn, which served as a recruiting depot. Although confined to his room when he again writes home, he does not betray his illness in a playful letter to his mother on the 10th of July : — Dear jMadam, The demand you make for my receipts looks as if you wanted them for your own use ; I rather hope they are for your friends, knowing that you take as much care of them as of yourself. I have distinguished the receipts to do justice to both my old ladies. I Imve heard of my Lady Grcy^" very lately ; she sent me her compliments, aud, what was more (as she expressed it), her hve. You sec, I have the art of pre- serving the affections of my mistresses, and I may he vain of these concpiests without offence, or danger to my reputation. The King of Prussia (God bless him !) is our oidy ally, and we are solely obliged to the Duchy of Silesia for his friend- shij). I am sorry that they don't all unite against us, that our strength might be fully exerted and our force known. I myself believe that we are a match for tlie combined fleets of Europe, especially if our admirals and generals were all of the same spirit. A week later ho writes to his father as follows : — Devizes, 17tli Jul)^ 1750. Dear Sir, I am informed by a politician of this country that the loss of the Island of ]Minorca will not infiuence the Spanish court, nor engage them in a war against us. I wish my acquaintance may have good intelligence, and that the Spa- niards nuiy not be tempted by the cession of that island to * There were three or four Ladies Grey at this jieriod. Probably, liouever, the lady alluded to was Haunah, relict of Sir Henry Grey, of Itowic'k, Avhose fourth son, Charles, afterwards Earl Grey de Ilowick, was then a captain of the Twoilieth. It may therefore have bceu through him that Wolfe had heard of her ladyship. M»^JI«TllT-1 .- MM ir.-io-,-,?.] DKVIZKS. — CIUKNCESTKH. 341 occa- [)ot. writes ,tcr to if voa arc for thci« as istice to .y-y^ very 11 ore (as of pvc- e vain of atatiou. allv, and is friend- US, that lowu. I icd fleets ere all ot 1750. that the Spanish wish my the Spa- 1 island to Probably, |ry Cri-eV' ot" lie Ilowick, lliavc been become our enemies. But my own opinion is that tliey will, and the siege of Gibraltar by sea and land, with the comljincd fleets, will be the first consequence of that formiduljlc union ; iu which, however, I am fully persuaded they will miscarry : })rovided always that the Lord Baron of Tyrawley, your neighljour,"^ takes care to have three months' provisions for eight or ten battalions, and 100 pieces of cannon towards the sea, and thirty or forty mortars with very large mouths, by way of sinking the ' Foudroyant 'f 'i^id the ' Real ' if they ven- ture too near. Mr. Byng has been a tedious time beating np to Minorca. These delays, either by \^ind or inclination, are fatal to us, because Sir Edward liawke can hardly arrive in time to pre- vent the French admiral from taking awa^, a i)art of the Duke of Richelieu's army, and escorting them safe to Toulon. So, upon summing np the whole of our coiuluct in this affair, both as to the project and execution, it does appear to me that we are the most egregious blunderers iu war that ever took the hatchet in hand. But what makes me laugh is our extra- vagant fears of an invasion at a time when it is absolutely absurd and almost impossible, unless we -dw to suppose that the Danish fleet is coming out of the Baltic on purpose to escort ten or twelve French battalions to Ediidjurgh. The high estimation in which Wolfe's opiuion upon military matters was held has been already mentioned. His counsel was at this time sought by Mr. Townsbend — afterwards Lord Sydney, son of the Right lion. Thomas * Lord Tyrawle_y, who had been the Governor of ^Minorea, succeeded General Fowke as Governor of (Jihraltar. In a letter lo the J{ii;lit Hon. Henry Fox (Aufj;iist 27, 175(i). he writes : — "That Gibraltar is (lie s(ruui;est town in the world, thai one En,i,disliinan can beat three Frenchmen, and that London Bridge is one of the seven wonders of the world, are the natural prejudices of an J']nglish colleehouse poli- tician." (Chat. Corresp., vol. i. j). 2()2.) t The ' Foudroyant,' of 81 guns and Uot) men, was the largest of the French shijjs in the engagement between Admirals Byng and Galisso- Jiiere oil' ^NFinorca. vshe was taken by Admiral Osborne in 1757. ■ I " '. rU V^l :'1ii. •\'-*%: 312 LltK 01' WOLFE. i' *f ', of Kirclcdenckirk, on tlie 15th and lOth of July, wlu'U tlie allied aniiy defeated tlie French luider the Prince de Soubise. Having attained the rank of colonel, lie was killed in June, 1702, in another Continental engagement. The young Colonel has been described as " being confessedly, for his Jieroic courage and his aniia1)]e manners, the favourite of the whole army, and of all who knew him " (Collins, ed. 1779, vol. vi. ]). J7) ; and Walpole, seldom lavish of praise, calls him "a brave, spirited young fellow of parts." (Letter to Mann, Jidy 1, 17(52.) t Charles, Viscount Broome, afterwards the celebrated INIaniuis Cornwallis, avIio entered the army in 1755. + ' Essai sur I'Art de la Guerre,' Paris, 1751. / .)!)-.)/ ■] I ) I ■, \' I z i: s . — ( • I R !•: N c I', s r e u . ;5l:i I , I r tlic had L>ar of officer Is the 3 runs 1750. it than ivt that \ do not iwallis's vliich is deal of p* of the e of the uaintcd ruction ; and T vo of his tne it, to of Foot- nul ill the •k, on tlio e PriMU'li (f colonel, Tagenient. ily, I'ov his the whole 17) ; and Led youiii; jManiviis the study of the mathematics, l)ecause it will greatly facilitate his progress in military matters. As to the hooks that are fittest ibr his purpose, he may hegin with the 'King of I'russia's llc^gulations for his llorsc and Foot,' where the economv and liood order of an armv in the lower hranehes are extremely well cstahlished. Then there are the ^Memoirs of the ^Marcpiis de Santa (,'rnz, Feu- quieres, and jMontceuecvdi ;* Folard's ' Commentaries upon Polyhius;' the ' Projet de Tactitpie / ' L'Attatiue et la De- fense des Places,' par le ]\[areehal de Vauban ; ' Los ]\Ie- moires de Ooulon;' ' L'Ingenieur de Campagne.' IjC Siein* Kenie for all that concerns artillery. Of the ancients, Ve- getius, Cicsar, Thueydides, Xenophon's ' Life of Cyrus' and ' lletreat of the Ten Thousand Greeks.' I do not mention Polvhius, because the Commentaries and the Ilistorv naturally go together. Of later days, Davila, Guiec^iardini, Strada, and the 'Memoirs of the Due de Sully,' There is rai abundance of military knowledge to be picked out of the lives of (iustavus Adolphus, and Charles XII., King of Sweden, and of Zisca the Bohemian ;t and if a tolerable account could be got of * Don Alvar, ^Fiirquis of Santa Cruz, was a 8[Kinisli General and statesman of Temavkal)le A'alour and ahility, lH)rn in 1(1S7. Having received a vouiul, and falling;' fi'oni his horse, he was taken l>y the jNIoors and massacred, in 17;)2. — Anthony ile Pas. IVlaniuis of Feu- (|iiirres, performed such extraordinary services in GermaMv. during the canqiaigii of l(iSS. at the head of 100 liorse, that he was promoted to the rank of Marechal-de-camp. He had great theoretical know- h'dgc, hut was so severe and censorious that it was said he was the hohlcst man in Euro])e, since he slept amidst 10(),()l)() enemies, — nie:ni- ing his own men. Ilis ' Memoirs ' have been esteemed among the best hooks on the art of war.— llaimoude. Count ^lontecucculi, one of the greatest cajitains of modern times, was horn in Modena, in lliOS, and served in llie Jnijierial army. He obtained several victoi'ies over the 'i'lU'ks with very inferior forces. J I is last campaign he considered tho most gloi'ious of his life, not that he had been victorious, but that he had not l)cen vanquished, having to contend against Tureune and Conde. lie died at Lintz in ItiSl. t .lohn de Trocznow, whose military abilities are acknowledged l)y all liistoriaiis of his times, rendered himself famous in the religious \\ars of Gerimnu'. in tlu' fil'leenlh centui'v. lie received tlu^ s(jhri- 1 , I Jt*^ ■'l " • I 341. LIFE or WOLFE. the exploits of Scaiulerl)cg, it would be inestimable ; for he cxeels all the officers, aueient and modern, in tbe conduct of a snudl defensive army. I met with liini in the Turkish His- tory, but nowhere else.* The ' Life of Suetonius,' too, con- tains many fine things in this way. There is a book lately l)ublished that I have heard commended, 'L'Art de la Ciuerre Praticjue,' — 1 suppose it is collected from all the best authors that treat of war; and there is a little volume, entitled ' Traite de la Petite Guerre,' that your brotlicr should take in his pocket when he goes upon out-duty and detachments. The Marechal de Puysegur's book, too, is in esteem. I believe jNIr. Townsheud will think this catalogue long enough ; and if he has patience to read, and desire to apply (as I am persuaded he has), the knowledge contained in them, there is also wherewithal to make him a considerable person in liis profession, and of course very useful and serviceable to his country. In general, the lives of all great commanders, and all good histories of warlike nations, will be instructive, and lead him naturally to endeavour to imitate what he must necessarily approve of. In these days of scarcity,t and in these unlucky times, it is much to be wished that all our young soldiers of l)irth and education Mould follow your brother's steps, and, as they will have their turn to command, that they would try to make themselves fit for that important trust ; ■if W '< 1 i:.l' if t ■;..:, quct of Ziscti, or " one-oj'cd," from having in liis j-outli lost an ej'c in battle He died of tlie plague in 1121. Zisca has been ranked amongst the Eeformers, and a life of him, as sucli, by AV. Gilpin, was published in 17ti5. * George Castriot, son of an All)anian prinee, -was born in 1404, and sent as a hostage to the eourt of Sultan Amuratli II., Avliere he Mas educated iu the Mahometan faith. Owing to his strength and courage, he was given the name of Alexander (in Turkish, Scander), wliieh m as accompanied with the title of Be//, or 7%. After distinguisliing him- self iu numerous engag-ments, he died at Lissa, in 11(57. His feats have been the subject of many poems and ronumces, and an account of his life was 'written in Latin by his contemporary, Barlesio. A Life of Scanderbeg, by Du Poncet, was also published at Paris in 1709, (See ' Biogra])hie Universelle.') t Scarcity of elilcient commanders (?). ];5c.-r)7.] DEVIZKS. — CIRENCESTEU. 345 for ho l\ict of h llis- o, cou- . lately G ucrrc authors ' Traite ; in his i. The Lie long to apply m them, ■;i person ;eablc to nandcrs, tractive, he must in thes(i r young brother's Ihat they t trust ; an cj'c in aiiiongst |p\il)lislic(l 1401., and vvc lie was tl courage, rhieli uas king hini- His teats In account A Life in 1709, without it, wc nmst sink under the superior abilities and inde- fatigable industry of our restless neighbours. Yoii have drawn a longer k'tter upon yourself than perhaps you expected ; but 1 could hardly make it shorter, without doing wrong to a good author. In what a strange maimer have wc conducted our affairs in the Mediterranean ! Quelle belle occasion manquee ! I am^ with perfect esteem, dear Sir, Your most obedient and most humble servant, Jam. AVolfd.* The contrast presented by the foregoing and the opening of the next letter, to Mrs. AA'olfe, is rather droll. Unfortnnately, liowever, we are unable to gratify the in- quisitive reader as to the nature of the transaction which caused the delinquent's threatened punishment. Devizes, ]Monday, 2nth July, 175(i. Dear ]\Iadam, liooking over my papers, I found that rascal Mr. Phil- pot's two last receipts and the lawyer's receipt for what was due after the fugitive had evacuated those quarters. Tiiey will convince you of two points, that my landlord is a very great rogue, and that I am pretty exact. If ever I catch him I will break his bones. To-morrow^ we mareli towards our camp, and on Thursday morning wc pitch our tents upon the Downs, within a mile and a half of Blandford. If there is an ounce of resolution left, we sha'n't lie long idle; but I'm afraid we have not spirit enough for an undertaking of any great moment. The Duke of Belleisle's name makes our pusillanimous tremble, and God knows there Avas never less cause. I have been but once on horseback this month ; however, I find myself well enough to march with the regiment, and shall probably recover apace. Our new Colonel is a sensible man, and very sociable and polite. Little Iliekson is appointed * rrom the ' fientlenian's ]\Ingaziius' March, 1701. 310 lilFK OF WOLFi;. I ) (',< 1 » ■ ' t • , » . ■■ I to act as Popnty Quartormastcr-Gcnoral in Scotland, a place of j>;rcat trust, lionotir, and profit. The Duke reconinicnded liini to be Deputy (lovernor of Pennsylvania, which would have been worth Lir)()0 a year to his J']\ceUencv, besides the p;l()ry of wayiu'^ continual war with the wild men of America, but a more fortunate man stepped in with better support, and disa[)pointe(l our friend. Wish a great deal of joy to !Mr. Aylmcr in my name, and tell him if he will breed any soldiers I shall engage them iis fast as they are able to serve* I hear that Lafansillc has been prejjaring for action, though I did not k>U)\v with what design till you cleared it up. I'm tired of proposing any- thing to the officers that command our regiments; they are in general so lazy and se bigoted to old halnts ; tlnnigh 1 must do him the justice to say that he diffei's from them in that respect, and is industrious beyond measure. f If that livng had been in haste to retrieve his own honour and the reputation of the British flag, he has had time and strength to do it. But I fear he is a dog, and therefore I hope the fleet did not sail from Gibraltar till after Sir Edward Ilawke got there. It would have been of infinite concern to this nation that the castle of St. rhili[)'s should hold out till the 2nd or 3rd of this month. If they had been all demo- lislied by their obstinacy they could not die better. You sec what haste the Duke of Richelieu made to get to the fort ; he foresaw^ the danger of our fleet's returning with the Ad- mirals that now command it, and therefore, under pretence of doing honour to the garrison for their brave defence, and to Blakeney in particular, he rejected no proposals that were njade. His sole aim was to garrison the fort and get back to Toulon with the rest of his army before our squadron * Brotlior to Lord .Vyliiior, Baron of Bah'atli, in llio poora Foo, " is a liiw.' varivly of downs, wootls, lawns, iiviiMo and ])asfuro land, vicli A-alleys. an.d an cxct'llcnt air. The dry easterly winds, the eold northern, ar.d the wcstt'rn moisture, are ti'in- pered by the warm southern saline breezes wafted hither from the ocean." ('Tour througji Great Britain,' vol. i. p. olO.) t On the 25t]i of August, 175(), it was determined to add second battalions, of 7S() men each, to fifteen infant rv regiments. 1; !'e ■ 1 JS .ij 1,1 f 3tS j,ii'r, oi' wo I, IK. his roginicnt, lie; niny aflbrd to sciul tlioni twenty gniiicns tor tli;it purpose; other colonels have (k^iic it, and 1 iiave answered tor him." On the 1st of Septend)er, the General himself is ad- dressed as follows : — ,f ' . i ; i> I i' 1 i/:ll ■■' I ,; , Dear Sir, I am afraid vou will think inc a little idle, and ho still more convinced of it when yon sec my letter dated from Win- ehcster. A lieutenant-colonel forty miles from his camp ! — what carries him so far trom his duty ? The ease is this : — The Prince of Nassau is jJjoin<;- away, aiul the Dnkc of Rich- mond means to entertain him a dav or two at (jloodwuod he- fore his (U'parture,* and we seethe Hessians exercise as we go along. The Duke proi)osed this party to me, and undertook to get the Crencral's leave. There was too much pleasure and too much honour in his Grace's offer to l)c refused. To- morrow morning four of the llessiau hattalions and some artillery exhil)it the Prussian discipline : after Mhich we are to l)reakfast with Count d'Isembourg, their General, and dine at the Duke of Richmond's, which is tive-and-twenty miles from hence. t AVe had a general review atul exercise of our forces yestei'- day upon Ijlandtbrd Downs, to the great entertainment of tlu; * Airs. Grenvillc wroto to hvv liusbantl, ou tlic 20th of April (175(!) : — " TliLM-e is a Prince of JN'as.sau, a .sovereign, just arrived, wlio is nuicli aclniire.'ewinarket." (Grenville Correspondence, vol. i. p. 157.) t Eiglit regnnents of Hessian auxiliaries, eonunanded bj-- Count d'Isembourg, lauded at Southampton on tlie lotli of -Ma_y. They arc described as making " a fine appearance, being generally straight, tall, and slender. Their uniform is blue, turned up with red and laced with white ; and their hair, plaited behind, hangs down to the waist. They are quartered in all the neighbouring towns, and observe the nu>st exact discipline." (Scot.s Magazine, May, 175(5.) Later in the year, the f.ji'' ■ i -.i giuncas I 1 Imvc If is lul- 1 be still •oni Win- cinup ! — s this : — of Kicli- .woocl l)C- ; as w'c go undertook !asure and sod. To- and sonic wo arc to id dine at ailcs from 's vcstcr- lent of tlii; 1 (irsc.) :- |io is mui'li li tidniirod las put till' 1 during liis (Greuville b}'' Count They aro [•aiglit, tall, laced with list. They the luost le veav, the UoO-.-)?.] DKVI/ i;S. — f'l llKNCliSTKIl. :vii) ignorant spectators; tlion<;li, accordin}^ to my jndgnu'nt, wc do not deserve even their approhation. There are otHc irs wlio had tlie i)i'esnmption and vanity to appland onr opera- tions, bad as they were; bnt I hope the (ieneral saw onr de- tects, and will apply a s[)c(.'dy remedy, withont which 1 tliiidv we arc in imminent danger of heing ent to pieces in our first encounter. We have some suspicion of an enterprise in embryo, and wc conclude that it will be in a warm climate.'^ If the least notice is given us, I shall send for all my thin clothes and lincMi. The Duke of Richmond talks of visiting the two camps in Kent, and he will, if 1 am with him, do us the honour to drink a dish of tea at your house. 11 (^ has e.v- pressed a desire to see you; whence that curiosity arises I can't well imagine, but so it is. I send you both my best wishes. On the !9th of October our Liciitenant-Coloncl re- ceived orders to decam[), and nun'ch with si.x conipjinies, — three of his own regiment and three of the .Hntls, — • into Gloucestershire, to assist the civil power in snp- pressing riots. lie marched the next day, and notifies his progress as follows : — Sodhuiy, Sunday, 24,th Octuher. 1750. Dear ]\Iadam, I write vou this short letter to inform vou that the Gloucestershire Wv^avers and I are not yet eorae to blows, nor innkeepers refusing to give tlieiii (piarters, the Hessians built luits to contain sixty men each, and in tlie middle of every hut was a hu'ge lire, around whicli they sat. In l)ecend)er, however, they were again (|uar- tered in various parts of the country. (' Gentleman's Magazine ' (175G), pj). 5 14, 592.) * Mr. Potter writes to Mr. Grenville. on the lltli of Se])tenil)er : — " There is much talk of an expedition ; bnt tlie Ministers, I hear, deny there is anytliing in agitation. . . . Some think the Ministers mad enough to attempt retaking Minorca at this season ; others suppose it is calculated merely to sto]) the current of chimonr by pretending to do something." (Grenville Correspondence, vol. i. p. 172.) i ' \ '■■i I '.••J;'. V ll-i r '* ',\:a) \.\VV. 01' WOM'K,. \ : I y :r ,]/ (lo 1 believe we sliiill. Tlie ex|)(>(litiou (Jiirrie^ lue ii liltle out of my roiul and a liltle in tUr dirt, l)ut I believe there never was a )uore lianiiless pieee of business, for 1 luuc men enoii;;li to bf.it tlu! mob ()( all lOu^^^land eolleeted. 1 hope it will turn out u ^'ood reeruitiiij;- party, for tlu^ people are so oppressed, so poor, and so wretched, tliat tlu^y will perlia^js Iia/ard a knoeU on tlu; i)atc lor bread and elolhes, and turn soldieis tIironj;li sheer necessity. To-morrow 1 enter the enemy's country, and disjjose my troops in their winter (piarters; myself to a strajij;lin<'', dirty villaji,e, over the ankles in mud. Mad aeeounnodution and bad company are so familiar to me, that 1 am almost in dan^^er of losing the taste of anything better. You'll bc! phrased to send my ba;i,ji,a^e to Plymoulh as before desired, for I ho^jc to }i;et there time enough to look over it l)eforc wc set sail to retake St. Philip's, or to seize the isle ol' Corsica for our use. My nurse's sons were two of the finest sohliers in the eam^) at Shroton. Richard has behaved so well that he has hopes of preferment; the other is an exceedingly able fellow, and strong as ten common men. I furnished them for their nnu'ch to Plymouth, and gave them hoi)es of many good things in the profession. You must direct for me at Stroiul, in (ilouccstershire,^ and yon nmst tell me how you arc, and what is doing in your neighbourhood. London, I reckon, will soon be in an ui)roar. Y'^ou are hajjpy tliat you are out of the noise of the populace, and out of the smoke of the city. ^Vhen is the unhappy Admiral to bc judged ? AVhcn does he oti'er an apology for the loss of St. Philip's, excuse himself, or pay the forfeit of his life for that inestimable fortress? I, who never read the news, never know what is doing, and my correspondents seem to have intelligence proportioned to my curiosity. Pray tell the General that I triumph in the King * " "West of Ciivneester, ui)ou the side of a liill, stands Stroud, a liltle market-town, distinguislied by an extensive elotliiiin: trade carried oil in the ueighhourhood. By the town runs the river Stroudwater, wliieli has the remarkable property of striking the scarlet dye with a fuller and deeper tint than any water yet discovered." (De Foe's ' Tour through Great Britain,' vol. ii. p. 222.) V-' '. t. lull' Dllt I'l! never I enough \\\\\ turn pprcsscd, hii/.anl ii I soldiers enemy's (jiiurtei's ; s in tnnd. uv to nie, n;,' better. as be lure ok over it tlic isle of tlio eani[) luis hopes ellow, and for their lany good at Stroud, I arc, and T reckon, )u arc out f the city, u does he liimself, or rcss ? I, , and luy icd to my the King Stroud, a lado carried roudwatcM', lye witli a ^e's ' Tour l7.-iO-:.r.] Dl.VIZliS. — ('niKN( r.STI'.Il. M.') of Prussiu'M success.* This \v;i'>* to have been a short h-tter, and if yon knew wluit noise and what (!onii)anions till tjie room, you wouhl uonder that it was otherwi.se. Owiiiu", no Ii'^is to the s|)rciul of enliu;hti'iiiin'iit nim)ii;;st tlu; lower chiSiscs than to the orjjjiuii/atioii of police, hap- pily it has not been necessary for soiuc years past to call upon tJH' military to assist the ci\il power in (pudlin^ riots. No duty is so ^'allin}!; to an ollicer, and in the execution of none other can he ac(pnrc less honoiu", un- less by condjininn' conciliation with chcision he ellccts the desired object without bloodshed. Wolfe, haviii'i; pi'cvionsly exhibited the necessary (piMlitications, was therefore selected to discliargc the disagreeable duty in which wi' lind him engaged. Tpon his arrival at Stroud he wrote to his mother as follows, and in his haste neg- lected to d{ito his letter: — Dear ]\Iadam, \vrv little socictv, and no amusement hut walking or riding, forces mo to be troublesome to you. The shortest of the two gun-cases contains a little gun for the woods ; may T ask the I'avour of you to send that gun-case to the '' Cicorge " upon Snow Hill, directed to mc at Stroud, in Gloucester- shire; the other I desired might go to IMynmuth with my baggage. The ol)stinacy of the poor half-starved weavers of broad-cloth that iidiabit this extraordinary country is very surprising. They beg about the country for food, because, they say, the masters have beat down their wages too low to live upon; and I believe it is a just coni[)laint. Those who arc most oppressed have seized the tools, and broke the looms of otlicrs that would work .if they could. I am afraid they will proceed to some extravagancies, and force the magistrates to use our weapons against them, which would give mc a great * Tlic defeat of tlie Austrians xuider Marshal Ennvn, at Lowosilz, in lioheinia, on the 1st of October. , . , J' .^ , i' f i;H Ull f , 35; LIFE OF WOLFE. •w..;*!/ 1 '.* f«r',^' fn r. I f ■.». 1,1 ilMn.^ (leal of concern. Tlic face of this cotmtry is different from anything that I have seen in England. Numberless little hills, with rivulets running in all the bottoms ; the lower parts of the hills are generally grass, the middle corn, and the upper part wood, and innumerahle little white houses in all the vales, so that there is a vast variety ; and every mile changes the scene, and gives you a new and pleasant prospect. The poor people in this neighbourhood are vastly well affected, further off' they are as ill ; but their chief, the Duke of Beau- fort,'^ is, I hear, upon the point of death, which will probably disconcert the faction. The public papers seem to have taken a turn in favour of our Admiral ; but I, who am an eye-witness of the conse- quences of his fatal conduct, shall never be brought to soften towards him. If he did not personally ejigage through fear, or declined it through treachery ; or if he went out with in- structions not to be too forward in relieving jNIiuorca, he deserves ten thousand dcatlis.f An English admiral who accepts of such instructions should lose his head ; but, alas ! our affairs are falling down apace. This country is going fast upon its ruin, ])y the paltry projects and more ridiculous execution of those who are entrusted. Remember how often 1 have pressed upon for your security, how I have warned my * Cliarles Xocl Somerset, foiu'th Duko of Beaufort, died on the 2Sth of Oetol)cr, 1750, aged foi'ty-^t'ven. Walpole speaks of liim as " a most determined and unwav^ering Jacobite," who " openly sot himself at the head of that pai-ty, and forced them to vote against the Conrt." (Letters, vok i. p.

  • , IM, :i:U,:»til,:u;7, :»71, ; lii^ ivr«ii;imtion, 3UI, 1.-), ;'02, .',(!«. a-, Id, 12, 58. .Im, :ir>2. , :>n\, (io7. i|(liiiu, his reports on 217, 218. of, 11-17. nil, .')2, uJJ. ;n7. I-, Ull), 113, 1.'3, 171, rt, 281, 283, 28'J. mil, 120. uvirnorof Louisl)ourg, ,112. , 2S7, 332. , 211. iiirat, 171, 103, 1118, .S.ipio, 38, 12, 51,05. fjllaud, 115 ; Lisbon, ord lii'atlil!fllry, J ID. (JoiiUiiiilli, ('a|p|iim h'-ilwird, 28, 113, 201, 2S5, 331, 3.'>(;, 357, 10:1. 188; liis o))iniiiii of WoH'i-, I'.IO ; Wolfe's bi'ipifst til, ."(07 ; assists Mrs. \\'olli' i\, llit'nrriiiiixi'iiiciil of licr iriu>,(ilO ; Mrs, Wolf''- pi-isc'iit t'l ; hi.s letters, liis ile;itli, OlO. Gordon, Jlrs., of Abenli . T8 ; lur trrievaiiii's, 78 ; her inv v,8l. firaiiiiiioiit, l)ne de, 11, , (Irani, .Major, lol. Oreiiville, '.Mr., 18 I, 18.-,, 48G, OOl. (Jirv, Ladv, 235, 2!t7, 310. Caiitiiin, 31(1, lO'J. Guise, General, 205. Ifale, Colonel, 582, Jlaiiiilton, Duchess of, 206, 207. Lady.\reliihald,213,2l5,2l0. Sir 'William, 2 10. llandil, 52, Ul. Ilaivourl, Karl, 217, 219. Hardv, Sir Cliarles, 125, 130, 155, 1.50, llawk-S Sir Kdward, 112,321,311,310, 375, 381, 381, 385, 380, 387, 31) I, 551. IIa\\ ley, General, 71; at Falkirk, 75; his reliH-at, 70; in Aberdeen, 78 ; at Fort Aii;;ii.'tiis, Ul ; Governor of I'ortsinoutii, 318 ; Wolfe's opinion of, 32i). ITavter, Dr., Bisliop of Xorwiuli, 217; 218. II if,'! I landers, refjiinents of, sngjjested by Wolfe, 108, 308; raised by Mr. Pitt, 307 ; cost lime of, 58'J. IIoilH.rne, Aihiiiral, 105. lloiderne.ss, Karl of, 30U, 3!)3, 503. lIohne.s, Viee-Adniiral, l'J2, '1U3, 540, 501, 5(52, 508, 578. Ilonevwood, Jo!., 31 1. 315, 310, 331). Hooker, iVliss, 181, 180. lIo))son, General, 105, 425, 503. lloskins, Miss, 112, 101. Howe, Hon. Uiehard (Karl), 381, 3S2, 387, 388, 3'J8. Howe, Geoi'ije Aul'H-I lis, Yiseoimf , !i05, 120, lis. ll'.t, !.-,<>, 151, 105, lO'.i, lion. Willi. 'h, 151, 108, 5d2, 58(1, .■,S2. Hn^ke, lli'i^a liir-Grmral, 3'.). II iili'hii|..on, (iiiv riior, 50<*t, Inwood, Mrs., Ill, 127, l!)2, 335. Jervis, .lohn (Karl St. Vincent), 18, I'.t ; at t^iicliii-. 573; bi-4 last iiilerMoV w illi W oil. , 573, 57 I, •lMhii-,011, ('ii|il, Wililci". his reports oil iheeondilion of tlu' 1 1 i^hlaiids, 215, 210. Johnston, Sir William, 1U2. Kane, r.ritradi.a-Gciicral, lUl 1, ;.', Keith, Uubcrl, 301, inl, 102. Kent, .Men of, 331. KbcM'nhiiller, Coiiiil, 47. Kin;;sley, Colonel, 33il, 315. Kipjiock, l.aird of, ls7, lss. Kiiowles, Vice- Admiral, 375, 380. Lacey, Count, lol, lo2. Lafaiisilie, Colonel, 77, 150, ITS, I'.tl, 332, 310, 3;)5, 010, Lax'cy, (leiieral, IS j. La\ini;ton, I'ishop, 2',i Laurence, Hriu.-Gcner.ii, 100, K'S, Il'S, ■131, 132, 131, 158; GoMiMior of ll.i- iifax, li»3, .503, Lawson, .Miss, 113, 123, 132, 112, 111, KJl, 253, 251!, 21 Id, 2;il. Lcslit', Captain, 171, .5ol, 550. 0()7. licxi, .Mai'ijiiis d. , 525, 531, 50;), .■)7I, 572. Li^ronier, Lord, •)(», lol, 102, 373 ; Com- niandcr-in-eliief, 31)1, 31).5, 121, .lt;3, 100, 177, 17S, ISI, 1!)|, Loftiis, Major Artliiir, (i5. 121, 1 13. 171. 180, 11)1, 11)0, 210, 221, 218; hi.s deatli, 272. Lotteries, State, 187. Loiidiinn, ].ord, 7'!, 101, 105, 107. Louis \V., 50, 58, US, lOd, lol, 102, 23U, 241, 252, 255, 3(!3, ■l!»3. Lowi'iidalii, Mareclial, lOl. 103, 100, Lowtlu'r, Mis,. 1.12; lu-trot bed to Wolfe, •173, ISO, 1110 ; lier portrait, 573, 57 I, 5U0, 51)7; traditions coiii'cniiii:,', 5! ,', ; her ciiaracter, 5U() ; her irttcr to Mrs. AVolfo, 5U7 ; lier marriaiie, and dcatli, .597. Maekeller, ^Lijor. 50l, 512, 517. Maeleod, Lairil of, 211. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 ^*^ i^ I.I 1.25 U il.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 v iV ^^ ;\ \ "4^^.. ^^. '^cS^ M # H^ . " 022 INDKX. ' r ■■ A- I ' Mariii-Tliorpsa, 25, 13, 97, 3fi3, 3fi|.. Mario Lericiimk'i, 2I5U, 27)0, 27>T). Mafl1)oroii)4li, Duke of, 330, 333, 3G9, 3U'J, JK). Mason, Ciiristoplior, 378, 380, IIG. Mi-.s., 378, GIO. Maxwell, Major, 299, 119, 107. M'CiiUoc'li, liieut. Jolni, 555. M'Dowall, Major, ]G9. IVletcalto, Jolin', 73, 78. M'Pliorsoii, of Oluiiy, 310. IVIirepoix, Due dc, 235. Molcswortli, Lord, 191, 192. Moiu'kton, Hon. Kot)c'rt, 455 ; 1st Eri- gadic'i' at Qiicbi-c, 501, 517, 538, 539, 51G, 5G2, 578; his good iiatiiro, 51G, 531, 579; his character and ability, 5G1 ; Wolfe's beciuest to, 571; his ])Osition ill tiie battle, 581 ; wounded, 585, G12 ; reiu'eseiited in West's pie- ture, G03. Montagu, Lady M. W., 595. Mont f aim, Marquis de, C'oniniander-in- ehief hi Canada, 401, 4J0, 4M, 1()5, 487; his camp at Beauport, 513, 531 ; his precautions, 521 ; biograjihic sketch of, 525 ; anecdotes of, 52G ; Wolfe's messages to, 532, 534 ; de- pends on the nature of the country, 53G ; returns Wolfe's reward to a French soldier, 540 ; his reply to the Indians, 5 12 ; liis wariness, 553, 5G1, 5G3, 571; sends Bougainville to watch Wolfe, 5G8 ; his astonishmeut, 580 ; quits his enfrcnehnicnts, 581 ; his dispositions of battle, 582 ; his first attack, 583 ; his valiant efforts, 584 ; mortally woiuided, 585 ; discomfiture of his army, 590; his last mouuMits, and death, 591 ; iiiouuments to his nieniory, G02, G03. Montccuceuli, Count, 343. Mordaunt, Sir John, ]23, 135,153, 195, 251, 290, 301, 327, 357 ; Coinmander- hi-eluef at Kochefort, 375, 383, 385, 387; mquiry into his conduct, 399 ; tried by court-martial, 401. Murrav, Hon. James, 3rd Brigadier at Quebec, 501, 538, 510, 5 H), 5G1, 5G2, 578; lands at J)e Ciiambaud, 51(5; Wolfe's eonlklence in him, 5G1 ; his position in the battle, 581 ; his reply to West, (iOl. — — — Col. Alexander, 19fi ; at Louis- bourg, 432, 412 ; his tardy promotion, 480; appointed to command the Louisbourg Grenadiers, 181 ; at Que- bec, 501, 521. Najiier, Col, Robert, 1 17, 372. IS'a.-sau, Prince of, 318. A'eweastle, J)uke of, 3t;9, 480, 187, G08. Noailles, Due de, 37, 40, 41, 42, 52. Ochterlony, Captain, 540. Orange, rVince of, 98, 101, 183. rriiieess of, 183. Orleans, Duke of, 23G. Page, Sir Gregory, 395, 39G, 451. Lady, 395, 39G. Mrs', 450, 451. Parr, Cai)tain, 102, 1G8. Pelliam, Mr., 9(5, 1G8. Pitt, William, 3GG, 3G7, 3G9, 372 ; pre- ])ares exi)edition against Kochefort, 373, 374; his diaiculties, 389; his speecli on tlie incompetency of com- nuniders, 390 ; ell'ects of iiis earnest- ness, 391 ; plans American campaign, 407 ; raises new connnanders, 408 ; his anxiety, 4G1 ; determines upon llie conquest of Canada, 4G2 ; employs Wolfe, '1G3, 471 ; Bcckford's letter to, 471, 472 ; anecdote of, 477, 478 ; liis patronage, 180; hi;j last interview with Wolfe, 482, 488; his quarrel wilh Lord Tenq)le, 485 ; his scheme of American conquest, 491 ; proposes a national monument to Wolfe; his speech., 598; his correspondence with airs. AVolfe, G06-G08. Pompadour, Madame dc, 113, 235, 238, 239, 250, 252, 3G1. Post-chaises, 223, 2()3. Pretender, the, 21G, 251. Prideaux, Brigadier, 492. Eamezav, M. de, Governor of Quebec, 513, 591. Rantzau, Josias, Comte de, 20G. Rich, Sir Robert, 70, 129, 135, 179, 401 ; his esteem of Wolfe, 609. Richelieu, Due de, 341, 31G. Richmond, Duke of, 2 15, 250, 251, 253, 28G, 331, 348, 3 19, 18G. Eickson, Colonel William, G5 ; his early friendship with Wolfe, 102, llu'; captain in " Lascellcs'," 121, 122 ; in Kova Scotia, 157, 1G5, 1G7, 1G9, 170, 178, 195 ; at Fort Augustus, 307, 319; Deputy Quartermaster-GenerMl in Scotland,'345, 371, 39G, 410, 119, 420, JG I, IGG ; biographic sketch ol', 4()7. Rigby, Richard, 358, 392. Roads, English, 290, 109. t, 1 17, 372. f, m), ISO, 1K7, no8. J7, 10, 11, 42, 52. in, 540. 'J8, 101, 183. ", 183. 23G. , 395, 3, 307, • uurterniaster-Geuer.il 5, 371, 39(5, 410, 119, biographic sketch oi, k58, 392. [90, 109. INDEX. 023 Ro,rls,TTi£ihl(ind,n7,13(),209,26S,2G9. Hodues, Captain, 387, 427, 451. RoUo, Lord, 435, 455, 456. Saekvillo, Lord George, Colonel of 20tii Kejrhiicnt, 126, 128, 129, 130,1:1:3, 131; serves Wolfe, 117; declines conipiaiid of tlie Eoeliefurt ex[)edition, 375; Major-Geiieral, 399 ; Master- General of (lie Ordnance, 116, 421, 466, 468. Santa Crn/, Marquis of, 313. 8:uniders, Sir Charles, 490 ; Adiiiiral- iiiM-hief al tjuebee, 192, 49S, 516, 527, 537, 54-7, 518, ooO, 574 ; his zeal and ability, 198, 550; Woife'-i ref,'ard for, 574; his aeeuimt of the aseeiit, 577. Suxo, Marshal, 56, 58. 6|., 97, 98, 101, 103, 106, 107, 235, 255. SeauflerVit'ir, 314. 8eott, ]\Iajor, 431, 5i>2. Lieutenant, 607. airs., 400, 597,610. Sclwin, Mr., 236. Selwvn, Georjite, 554. Senezeivnies, M. de, 513, 584. Skniner, Mr., 178, 207. Smith, Admiral, 332. Captain Hervcy, 501, 534, 551, 594, 605, 607. Smollett, Tobias, 15, 17, 89. Sotheron, VVilliain, 75, 83. Squire, Dr., 18 k Stair, Karl of, 22, 37, 38, 40, 45, 19. Stanhope, Fhilip, 240, 241, 274. Stauwix, Colonel, 276. Stewart, Allan Breck, 212. St. Ours, Baron de, 513, 584. Strachey, Sir IIenr\, 138, 439. Strcton', General John, 304. Lieutenant James, 303. St.'sle, clmntre of, 231. Swinden, Rev. Samuel Francis, his .school at Greenwieb, 10, 18 ; notices of, 23, 36, 133, 119, 187, 196, 593, 396 ; his death, 610. 1. Green, 283. Temple, Earl, 366, 369 ; his atiecdote of Wolfe, 482 ; its absurdity, 483 ; liis character, 485 ; his monument to Wolf(>, 600. Thompson, Bradwardine, 28, 36, 264, 3'JO, ;{34. Edward, 27, 155. Frances, 149. {See Ab- thorpc.) Towiishend, lion. George, 2nd Briga- dier at Qiieb.>e, 501, M7. ,538,530, 5in, ulC, r)5(), 551, 55S, 578, 5(Sl ; his appoiulnuMit, 5.'»!), 611; his clia- racter, 560, 614; eommaiids the army, 5K5, 591 ; his dispatch announcing the victory, 5i)2, 61 :i ■ ' Letter to an Hon, ]{rii;adier,' ()12 ' Befutal ion,' 613 ; ins eulogy of Wolfe, ^\^'^, 614 ; ehallenges Lord Albemarle, iW.i n. ; Wolfe's low opinion of hi-; military ability, 614. Towiisliend, Charles, 479, 55I-, (J09,614. Mr., 311. Colonel Henry, 312. Trajtaud, General Cyrus, 313. Ca|itain Alexander, his reports on the lljy:lilaiids, 216; Lieut. -(jo- venior of Fort Augustus, 3]n. :ni, 312, Tuillrries, 236. Tyrawley, Lord, 136, 151, 311. I'mbrcUas, 224, 216. Vnnbrugh, Laily, 1 54. Cast'le, 151.. Vaudreiiil, Manpiis de, Oov(M'nor-Oe- neral of Canada, 416, 523, 526, 512, 568, 581 ; forsakes his camp, 5S(i. Vernon, Admiral, 11, 12, 1 I, 15, 17 VersaiUes, Court at, 250, 252. 'Virginians, The,' 488 Wade, General, 56 ; at Veweastle, 70 ; ntarehes against the rebels, 72, 73 ; his report on the condition of the llit,dilands, 116; liis military roads, 117,210,268. Wages, grooir.'s, 332. Warde, Kight Hon. General,?; his early friciid.-ihi]) with V/olfe, 13. 19 ; coriu't of dragoons, 23 ; notices of, 28, 30, 31, 122, 471, 593, 605 ; Wolfe's cba- racter of, 151; olfered aiiiioiutmeiit on (^utlicc exjiedition, 172, 475 : bio- graphic sketch of, 476; Wolfe's be- quest to, 607 ; assists in the arrange- ment of Mrs. Wolfe's aHiiirs, 610; acts as her executor, 611, 612. — John, 19, 118, 16I-, 337, 593. Washington, George, 323. Weavers, Gloucestersjiire, 319, 35L Wentworth, Brigadier-Gen., 15, 17, 377. Wh.^tham, John, 238, 242, 248, 250, 252, 258. \Vhitmore, Major-Gen., 408, 420, 431, 446, 458, 502, 501, 505. i 021 INDEX. )■!. > t' I ■ ■11 {■ ,t" I ■il Wi-js, 219, 327. Wult'o, Lieiil, OeiieiT.l Edvvurti, 1 ; his marriage, 5 ; resitli's in Wi'stei'liiini, (i ; roiuiives to Urcciiwicli, 10; Ad- )ulimt-( rfiii'i'al to Ijord Oatlicai'l'.^ iirmv, 12: saiU for C'artliat,'i'iia, 11': ill Cuba, IH ; ri'tiiru- to I'luglaiid, 27 ; l!ngadifr-Gfi\oral. 55 ; Colonel otthr 8tli Ki'ginuMit, Go ; Major-CJcncrnl, 70 ; c'iiii«lo\e(l iluring the rebellion, 71, 72; jH'litions for liis ytw, IK); notices of, 108, 111, 125, 12(';, 127, US, 154, ItiO, Ki?, 172, is:{, IDS, 201, 211, 25!t, 2()1. 2f55, 27(!, 2S.i, 21)1, yoi, 351, ;}7i, -Mi, 113, 4(;;i; liis dealb, l!((i : his oharacter, 11)7; his will, 553, (IHH. — Mrs., her lineago and ninrringo, 5; iiotiees of, O, 12, 13, 11. 2S, 30, 55, 57, 5i>, 71, 96, 123, 127, 137, 1 1 1, 151, IGl, 171, 190, li'S. 205, 2.^.2, 298, 327, 330, 353, 3(52, HI, 113, 41 -i, 122, 553, 593, 591, 590, 597; her correspondence with Mr. I'itt, 60G- 1)08 ; {letition.s for her son's pay, 009; her friends, GlO; her deatli, Oil ; her bequests. Oil, (512. Lieutenant Kdwai'd, ; his boy- ■M: *■' hood, 7 ; his disposition, 9, 2S ; ei'ters the Army, 32 ; his letters, 33, 3,5, 42, 57; his education, 31; at iJeltingen, 42 ; his valour, 10 ; returns lK)me, 51 ; promoted, 50 ; hi camp, 57 ; liis death, 59 ; his character, 00. Major-General James, his birtli, 5 ; his early home, 6 ; iirst school, 7 ; his first friend, 7 ; his boyhood, 9 ; volunteers for Carthagena, 12 -, writes from caniji, 13 ; his return, 14 ; goes back to school, 18; receives his tirst commission, 19; Ensign in " T)u- ronre's," 21 ; a]i[)earance at his iii-st review, 23 ; embai'ks for Fland.'rs, 25 ; in (xhent, 27 ; on the march, 32 ; in camp, 37 ; acts as Adjutant, 39 ; de- sci'ibes the battle of Dettingen, 13 ; his precocity, 47 ; the cause of iiis rapid promotion, 49 ; describes the situation of the allies and the ene- my, 50 ; Captahi iu " Barrell's,'' 50 ; his brother's illness, death, ami cha- racter, 59-4)1 ; prepares himself foe higher dutie?, 02 ; his conduct as a subaltern, (53; the battle of Fontcnciy, 64; 13rigade-Maj(n', 70; in Newcastle, 71 ; at Falkirk, 75 ; in Aberdeen, 78 ; liis interview with Mrs. Gordon, 79 ; his aecoinits of Cidlodcn battle, 84, 179; anecdote cotieernuig, 80; at Tnversnaid,92; visits(.)ld i'urliuglon Street, 90 ; returns to the (,'ontinent, 97 ; thanked for his con, 189 ; on elfeminate oincers, 190, 191 : on Thucydides, 191, 194; beaten iit chess, 192; on the oflicc of aiile-de camp, 195; on equanimity, 197, 20(;. 258 ; on military morals, 200, 278 ; on imaginary evils, 205 ; his conduct in tlie Higl'ilands, 207 ; at Fort Au- gustus, 210; at Rnthven, 213; his servants, 219 ; anecdote of, 220 ; his journey in Ireland, 223 ; visits the Boyno, 225 ; on the condition of Ire- land, 225 ; his uncle Walter, 224, 22(5, 227, 230 ; in Dublin, 229; at bl;uk. heath, 231 ; his journey to Paris, 235; his reception by the English amba.- sad.M-, 237 ; his'life in Paris, 212, 253, 25 1 ; on the contlition of F" ranee, 2 b'i, 2 19 ; describes French customs, 2 10, 217, 250, 258, 2,59; o,) priestcraft, 219; at Versailles, 250 ; presented lo Louis Xy., 252 ; wi.s]ies to see IbrciL'n c>(ino(>rniiijx, 80 ; at isitsOld I'.iii-liu.iitou ■us to tlic ContiiiL'ut, liis coiuliiot lit Luf- mdon, 101 •, falls in -UThoiit, io;$, pro- , 101.; his iisurulnoss, .t'licss, 10'> ■. Ills 'l"- m.M.t, 107, 108,121, 2,100,170; his ideas lit (111(1 s;i, 260, (•ami., 10i>; I'i'* dis- ;, i;j8, 2()\i, :5H): liis 12:5, 251, 253, 250; h Kc^'iiucnt, 113; in oiiiinaiids tlie cov]):^, nt-.ilf.nl.^i-s, ll!t,12S, lis cxiH'iisos, 121 ; on 5, 183. 180 : atteiuls ltd : bis iTsidcnce in ; the Si,-ot(jh (ilimate 131,271; I'n mathe- i ; on militiir\ habits, on Scottish socictv, evossi'd 111 lo\c, 11 '.i, -Colonel, 145 ; on llio ,tlan(l,150, 308, 320j jnt of colonies, 157, {)[) ; ou M(nitesc|liieli, 1,101; at Banli;l0.5; dand rei^iniciits, 108, books, 170, 2(»1, 202; 173 ; as a military on umbitiuns niar- matrimony, 185, lilt!, birthday 'rclloetlOll^, teoili(>ors, I'JO, lf*l: I'Jl, 191; beaten nt tb(! ofllce of aide-de- eiiuauimitv, 197, 200. i-> morals, 200, 27S : Is, 205 : bis c(jndm't ds, 207 ;' at Fort Au- Kuthvcn, 213 ; his iccdote of, 220; his and, 223 ; visits the the condition of liv- nele Walter, 221, 220, iddin, 229 ; at Ulaek- numey to Paris, 235 ; tbe Knglisb amba^;- e in Paris, 2 12, 253, btion of France, 2i:''. Fivneli customs, 210, 259 ; on priestcnii'i, es, 250; presented i'> wishes to see foreign i life INDEX. (125 car.ips, 257, 201 ; ins rot m'n to 9c<><- li'.tid, :i03 ; liis Iiorsemansliip, 205 ; on coulrntment, 207, 271 ; at l,"cli Luiiioiid, 2ij'5, 271 ; I'li his Wiirmth '■ county conslabnlary, 272 ; ([uits 5>e()t- Innd, 275 ; on the t*urreiider of Car- lisle. 270; on Lancashire peasantry, 277; describes Dovi'r CastU', 281, 283,281.289: unconrts-murtial, 288; ou i:nlilar> and ii:i\al spectacles, 110, 295, 315, 3 J 7 , his dum-mg, 295, 317 ; conciliates JaiMibites, 290; on cards, 298 ; de5])ondent, 300, 302 : preiiares for war, 30], 30 1, 3(7; his lovi- of do<^, :i85, 305, 315, 101 ; his pa- triniHii), 301, 328, 350, 301; his friundship, 100, 307, 419; on Indian alfairs, 317, 417, 419 ; his filial affec- tion, 318, 32t), 329 ; visits poor rela- tions, 322 ; on Ur.uidock'-; flisaster, 3Jl. on military cdncat ion, 325. 3 14, ' Oil the thrcatencti invasion, 328, 333, 334, 311 ; ohtaiiis a commission for a widow's Min, 331, 333 ; on Minorca, 338, 339, 311, 358 ; on Eiif.li,sh ma- iiai^cnient of war, 3(J8. 311, 371 ; on the condition of England, 337, 352; on the Kim.' of Prussia, 340, 350, 359, 370. 109, 419; on the education of youiig oiricers, 312, 403 ; on Admiral 'Uyng. 3 1(>, 3 t7, 350, 352 ; on soldiers' blrtiikett, 317; on l!]ii<^lish military discipline, 319; quells riots, 350, 351 ; '■is foster-brothers, 350; his gene- rosity, 357, 197 ; Qiiarti'rmaster-(Ti'- neral for Ireland, 358, 359 ; expedi- tion to Ki>fhi>fort, 370 ; at sea, 379 ; his account of proceeding-', 380 ; his zeal, 383-, bis proposal, 381; returns to Kngland, 388 ; his vexation, 391 ; his remarks on the conduct of the ex- ])edition, 392, 395, 397, 398, 402; rewarded with the nink of e'ulonel, 391; his feeling for Curnuallis, 355, 394; on private sobbfirs, 379, 388, 393, 395, 418; profits by bis ex[)eri- ence, 390; his ''viiloncc, 399; bis conduct ajiprove I. 109 •. in rctiriMnent, 401; on t'u' discipline of tbe "Twen- tieth," 4'.'3, 108; his rajiid journey, 409; bis outlbs, 411; his moderate desires, 411 ; r.>signs bis Irish ap- pointment, H3; his disinterestedness, 414; ou rovil pr-judu^', 415; on Louisbou-g and Minorca, 416 ; on the im uordity of I'ortsmnith, 418, 423 ; on military exercises, 418 ; Bri- i,'a.li 'r-Gcncral, 420; his dcjiarturc for .\mcru;i, 123; at llahfiix, 125; his laiuhug at l/uiishnur.:, I.IU ; ri' wards iu.ivo ^oldiei'.-, 132 ; t:ikes the I.igliihoust Hatter), 433 ; his order,,, ■131 : erects new ha'.'.jries, 137, 139, describes the eonditi^u of the ei'.euiy, 439; silimcesthc Island Ijaltery, i l'"> . attaek:i the lowu, 411 : aiirrdotc of 412; destroys the citadfi, 113; de- sia'ib;'s the .iicgi- mul I lie town, 110, 418, 119; Colonel of the 07lli Regi- ment, 417; eaijer to attack Quebec, 418, 152; on the destiny of >'i)rth America, 451; in the C^idf ot St. Lawrence, 450 ; his advice to cicuerai Amherst. '157 ; returns to England, 458 , joins his regiment, 402 ; oilers liis services to Pitt, 101 ; on the late cmii)ucsl, 105, ■188, 499 ; bis dl health, 40f), lt)9 ; his di-i( ipliuc, 170 . sum- moned to London, 471; appoinl(nl to the cominand of expedition tot^iic bee, 472 ; betrothed to Miss Lnwt her, 47'3 ; sends information to l'itl.474: sidects his stall, 172. 475, 4.77. 501, 559. 5<>1 ; his eommissciii h-^ Major- (ienei-al, 178 ; his interview with Lord Harrington, 179, bis patronage of merit, 480, 481, 182 ; liis last in- terview with Mr. Pitt as related by 182 , improbability of Furl .Stan the story, IH'.i ■ cstiiiciles .il bis cha- racter in tictioris, 4H8 ; takes leave ol bis ])arents, 190 ; sails for Amcri-;a, 492 ; his first dispatch, 193 ; bis fore- thought, 495, 507 ; bis pv-piiratious, 497, • (»3, 501 ; bis iii'.coiu-cptious of (Juebee. 498, 199. 555; .•)! (i;iuger in battle, 500 : aiieedotos of, 5t.t0, 51u, 528, 5(iO, 570, 575, 579; writes to Mr. Pitt, 503; l:uid-- on the Isle of (.>rlc;ins, 5Ui : recoimDUres the jiosi- tion of the ent^my, 512 , his pr'icla- m:ition, 517 ; his alairit^, 527, 532, 533 ; bis general orders, 527, 531, 570,571 ; eiieamp.? on the north hank of tin; St. Lawrence. 529; endeavours to draw .Mont>;,ilui from liis entiviieh- monts, 531 : rewar.U vigilance, 531 ; bis determination, 532 : reconnoitres abovi' (jfuehcc, 533, 5 i2 ; his messages to Monte dm, 531,535; attacks the French (^aup, 535 ; rehite^ tlu^ cir- Ciimslatii'es in his disp itch 530 ; re- bukes the G-.vaa tiers, 5 19 ; his kind- ness towards oilicers, 53.1, 570, 579 ; bis ilisappomtment and illness, 512 ; 2 s G20 INDEX. 1 1 ■I Ins hospitiility, 543; consults his Brigndii'i's, iSW ; liis scIkmiips, 544 ; tlic Brifiiidiii-s' niiswer, 5 J5 ; lii.s iic- miipHcciuc, 51(5, 517 ; on the- rcpiilije lit Montniori'iici, 54'J ; his illness and (lejcction, 551, 55G, 5f)2, 5f)5 ; liis diiJifullici', 555; liis |)crsevtM'finoc,55(J, 557 , iiis idea of landing at St, Mi- (HiLi'l's, 558 ; romoves his ciinip, 561 ; his last dis|)uloh, 5(i3 ; selects tlic ])Iiice foi" the uscciit of the Heights, 5<)S ; on the condition of the enomv, o{)d ; liis precautions, 571 , 572 ; his farewell interview with Jervis, 573 ; his last .•n'raiifjenients,57 1 ; descends the river, 575 i lands at Wolfe's Cove, 577 ; ^ains the TIeights, 57H ; his order of ))attle, 581 ; leads on the Lonisbour"; Grenadiers, 583 ; his wonnils, 583, 584, 585 ; liis fall, 585 ; his death, 586 ; funeral hommrs at Portsniontii, 594; his burial, 595 ; Mr. Pitt's pane<;yric on, 598; national nmiiunicnt to, in Westminster Abbey, 599; otiier me- morials of, 60()-6()2 ; Ronmej'e aiicl West's pictures of his death, for his nephew's welfare, 107, lOS, 148, 248, 302 ; W(4fe's bequest to, 607 ; his death, 610. Vv'oulfe, Friar P'rancis, 2, 3. Captain Geoi'ge, 3, 4. Yorke, Colonel, 105. Zisca, the Bohemian, 343. ■t' :■*' THE EM). JOHN KDWAB.L T.^VLOR. Pai>TE», I.ITTLF. aUKE.N STREET, LINCOLN'S INN MELDS. Abbey, Dfl9 ; otlior nn- •(•soniis(li'(itli,<)0:2-t;(j| ; no 1,605; iiicduli nti(l 60<) ; bis will, fiTi, (JU7 : Towiiahcntrs t'iiIoj^_v of. e's fsliniulf of liis I'lui- his ability as n aeiierul, ositions at Queboc, (;i7 • OIS. t'nltcr,61, 105, 128, l!)t 7, 2110, 2(H, 392, 112, , 487, 490 ; bis iWu-> •w's wcif'ai'o, 107, lOS, 2; W(