· can be. I have, however, my distresses. My servant William, and another I had, are both in the hospital with the fever, which • almost everybody but myself has had: he ' was my valet, cook, groom; and without him

I am helpless. I had other business to ' attend to, and left to his fidelity and assiduity the whole of my private affairs.

'The Captain Stewart, you inquired about 'some time since, was the person mentioned

as commanding the 25th regiment at the 'attack of the Convention Redoubt: he is a ' very good lad, and a diligent, brave officer. 'He is now serving as a marine on board the ' fleet.

'You have heard how the thickness of my 'skull saved my life. The last plaster fell

off to-day; and as soon as the hair, which

was shaved, grows, there will not remain 'any trace of the hurt.

Farewell, my dear Mother, I shall write

'when more at leisure.

Believe me your affectionate Son,

'JOHN MOORE.'

6

'by your friend Major Stewart, who is a much

healthier man than the Captain I introduced 'to you, and I like him better for his attach'ment to every body in Clifford Street. It is the greatest comfort to me, my dear 'Mother, to think I have been the cause of so 'much happiness to you; and I shall be very 'miserable if ever my conduct excite in

contrary sentiment.

you a

'My appointment of Adjutant-General de'pends on the departure of Sir James Erskine, ' which I believe will take place soon. This 'will detain me in Bastia, which otherwise 'I should be moved from, as the regiment is 'to be stationed at Corté. The General has 'made a distribution of the troops, which is 'not yet public, but which will take place

soon; it has been delayed hitherto upon account of the great sickness.

This place might be pleasanter than any ' other in Corsica, but it is not, owing to the 'unsociable temper of the Corsicans. We

VOL. II.

X

6

'have given them balls, and endeavoured to ' enliven them, but it is impossible. They

' are an unamiable set, and I have never been 'so happy amongst them since we left the 'field. Indeed, since that time, I have wished 'the regiment to be moved elsewhere.

It was my intention to have written to 'Jane by this courier, but I feel as if I should defer it to another opportunity, as ' well as to Charles.

'Believe me, my dear Mother,

'Your affectionate Son,

'JOHN MOore.

'I inclose a commission, which I hope you 'will not scruple to execute for a poor boy 'who has fallen to my charge. His father

was a very good soldier, and the son pro'mises to be no less so.-Farewell.'

To James Moore :

'Bastia, 10th August, 1795.

My dear James,-I received your letter ' of the 29th June. Your conjecture is right that the first attacks of the fever do not

season people to the climate,-on the con

trary, the longer they remain, the less they

are able to resist, and are more subject to ' attacks again. I have, however, had the good fortune to continue well. I do not find the sun has the same effect upon me which 'I hear others complain of; and I do not 'feel the smallest tendency to a relapse. My 'face is the worse of the wear; I look, I suppose, at least ten years older than you or 'Graham.

'I have written to the Duke of Hamilton, ' and I make no doubt but, in case of a dis'solution, he will bring me into Parliament, if " he can. But there's the rub. He neglects 'his interests so much, his power must al'ways be uncertain. His being with Government, the Dukes of Buccleugh and Queensbury being so also, will prevent, perhaps, his being opposed (on this occasion). If

my presence is at all necessary, I have told 'him I can get leave for a short time.

'I am happy at Graham's success, but he 'must make two or three thousands more to

make him comfortable at a peace. I agree

' with you that I have nothing to regret in not

being employed in the West Indies. By'the-bye, neither my mother nor you have 'taken any notice of the letters I wrote to 'you the 23rd May, in answer to yours on 'the marriage.

James Crawfurd left this a fortnight ago,

upon his promotion. He is a spirited, ho'nourable lad, a little hot-headed at times. Much will depend on his getting under a sensible and gentlemanly Lieut.-Colonel. You may be very sure that I was as kind ' and attentive to him as possible. I should 'have been very ungrateful had I been other'wise to a connexion of John Crawfurd, 'to whom I beg you will remember me in the 'kindest manner. I should write to him 'occasionally, but I know he hates being 'bored.

'Apply to my mother to buy some white 'cotton thread, such as is used for em'broidering, and send it to me by a mes

senger. Send a good quantity of it, it is