ON N my return to England I immediately joined my regiment, the first regiment of guards, in which I was an ensign. I may, with truth, say, that I knew my duty better than nine ensigns in ten, at their debut on the parade at Whitehall; for I not only was acquainted with the common parade-duty, but absolutely knew the manoeuvre of a battalion; for I had made my profession my study, and was devoutly attached to a military life. I was almost instantly launched into the great world, and introduced into the most distinguished companies in this country. When first I trod the paths of pleasure in this gay town, my country was arrived at the very height of national grandeur, and was not as yet on the decline. She was powerful, and respected all over the world; both her fleets and armies were victorious wherever they went; the country was rich, from many years' peace, after a glorious seven years' war. It was then that Great Britain, in the hour of her insolence *, drew the jea Vide Governor Johnson's speech on the Ameri can war. lousy and vengeance of the European powers. There was abundance in every : part the necessaries of life were at a moderate price; the people were happy, joyful, and contented: the middle man then lived well; the nobility and gentlemen were in general in a state of opulence; and there was scarcely such a thing to be seen in the land as a poor gentleman. England then basked in the sunshine, from the vigorous and successful measures of the great Mr. Pitt, who wielded the democracy of England in one hand, and smote the House of Bourbon with the other. He guided the affairs of ' this country in war with manly vigour, and in negociation with sincerity, ever scorning those political refinements of which others vainly boast: sincerity he ever took for his guide, and his country's honour for his glory: his fame did not consist in triumphing, in a speech of four hours, over a fallen foe, in the senate, but in victory over a foreign enemy: he was dreaded abroad, and loved at home. The magnificence, elegance, splendour, and extravagance of the times cannot be described. To frequent the polite circles in those days, a young man must have been polite, well bred, well educated, and well dressed: they seldom came into the world till one-and-twenty, and not till they had travelled, or been in some foreign country, for a couple of years at least. It is of the greatest utility for a young man to be absent in a foreign country for a considerable time. Abroad, he must behave well, and be polite in company, or he will have half-adozen swords through his body in a week, which will soon teach him good breeding, better than any thing else I am ac |