'lated for a winter campaign.

I however no

longer fear for the country. The French

'lost their moment; we are now too strong,

and too well prepared. Lord Cornwallis ' has been a blessing to this country he has 'assumed a line of conduct truly respectable 'for himself, and the best possible for restoring tranquillity to this distracted country. 'How happy must all Clifford Street be with 'Graham's success; I cannot tell you how I delight in it. Let me hear from you, and 'believe me, my dear James,

'Your's affectionately,

'JOHN MOORE,'

'Athlone, 26th Dec., 1798.

The

My dear Father, I this day received your joint letter with Graham's. 'same post brought me one from B.,* 'with a damp to all my hopes. It was my 'wish to spare you the anxiety you feel.

You may now be at ease; I am doomed 'to remain where I am. Lord Cornwallis

me, in such terms, that it is supposed 'it would give him umbrage if it were proposed to withdraw me. This may perhaps afford you consolation, I therefore tell it to you. As for me, I draw none from such 'source. I cannot reconcile myself to remain here, and be troubled with the continued 'broils of this distracted people, when active ' and distinguished service is going on else'where. I consider myself yet as in my ap'prenticeship; I wish to serve it under the 'best masters, and where there is most busi'ness, that at some future day I may be able to direct and instruct in my turn.

.

Our

'business, like every other, is to be learned

only by constant practice and experience;

and our experience is to be got in war, not at reviews.

'I have still hopes, however, of getting from this, though not so soon as I expected, and these hopes are my only comfort. I beg, however, that these, as well as what has 'passed, may continue a secret.

This climate is too moist and does not

agree with me. We are here surrounded ' with the Shannon, which at this season ' overflows; and we live in perpetual damps. 'My constitution seems to yield more to

damp than to anything else. I remember I 'was ill formerly at Kinsale. I am far from 'well this fortnight past, no appetite, yellow, ' &c. I am averse to try Trim's recipe, 'burned whiskey, or radical heat against the 'radical moisture of the foggy Shannon.

'I am truly happy that James is about to

marry (a state which becomes all men who

can settle), and that his dear partner is one of ' whom all so much approve. . . . you .. As for me, I suppose I shall be the old bachelor. They must give me a place amongst them ' and put up with my humours; and they 'shall have, even whilst I live, the good things these wars may bestow on me.

'I wrote to Lord Huntley about James. Many returns of the season to all in Clif'ford Street..

'Ever, my dear Father,

• Your affectionate Son,

'JOHN MOOre.

'Athlone, April 9th, 1799.

My dear Mother, I received yesterday your letter from Petersham, of the 2d. The country seems to agree so well with you and Jane, that I should be glad you would 'enjoy it every summer. I have just been 'telling Frank, to whom I have been writ

ing, that it has for some time been a castle of mine, when the war is over,-my regi'ment stands, or that I get another, to take a bachelor's lodge somewhere in Surrey, large enough for you and Jane constantly, and two or three interlopers occasionally. With your assistance, and François, (who, by the bye, is a treasure,) I should keep the house in summer, and should return, and pass the winter with you in Clifford Street. Tell me your objection to this plan; do not, by reducing my regiment, upset the 'pail, and destroy the castle.

I received two letters from Graham, whilst he was at Cork ; he is

in great spirits. I expect his return full handed, about the beginning of May.

We are prepared to receive the French. 'I am, and have been, very busy. They will certainly come here, if the Archduke does 'not give them employment elsewhere, and the chance of their invading us keeps me 'from complaining; otherwise this is a villanous hole, and I am sick of it. I wish 'that something turned up, to take me out of

6

it this spring, or summer. If I cannot get

employed elsewhere, I must get a couple of months relaxation in England-I bespeak a room in your bandbox. Of late years I 'have been used to small space; six feet square will do.

Anderson begs his remembrance to you. 'He is not robust; but as he takes care of ' himself, he holds out pretty well; and will, 'I hope, stand the campaign, if we have one. My hours are as good as yours; I am up between five and six every morning. I am

' employed all the morning; we, as yet, dine

'late, at six o'clock; and I pass nine even

ings in ten by myself, at home. Military

VOL. II.

2 A