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CHAPTER XIV.

WINCHESTER.-SOUTHAMPTON.-CANTERBURY.

MARCH, 1755-MAY, 1756.

THE Earl of Albemarle having died, at Paris, in December, 1754, his eldest son, George, Lord Bury, succeeded to the peerage, and was soon afterwards appointed 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 but a General officer would be put over him. The appointment was in abeyance when he quitted Exeter, and he remained in suspense for some days after his arrival at his new quarters in Winchester on the 25th of March. In a letter home on the follow

ing day, he expresses his impatience to know whether it will be peace or war. "All my hopes of success," he writes, "must be grounded upon right and just pretensions. I must serve, and serve well, or I can't get forward; for who will be at the trouble to solicit for me out of pure friendship?" Writing to his father on the 12th of April, he observes that Honeywood's having been appointed to succeed Lord Bury was no compli

ment to him, and that he 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 hold their anchors in a storm, for the wind rages most violently."

A few days after, Mrs. Wolfe is told-"It is difficult to say whether there will be a war or not; the French will determine that as they please, as it suits their interest or conveniency. If you arm yourself with philosophy, you are mistress of all events. I have a natural indolence of temper that helps me in some cases, but I have too much impatience for much sharp pain." Reverting 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 Flurry, I can do it, and you may have her again when you get rid of the rest."+

In his next letter to his father, the Lieutenant-Colonel explains the cause of his discontent. Lord Albemarle had informed him that the regiment was to be given to General Fowke, and that he (Wolfe) was to be conti

*Philip Honeywood was gazetted to the colonelcy of the Twentieth on the 8th of April, 1755, and removed in May the year following to the 9th Dragoons. He rose to the rank of General, was many years Governor of Hull, M.P. for Appleby, and died in 1785.

Another time he writes: "I am afraid the cook gives the dogs too much meat; flesh is very dangerous for dogs, and spoils their noses. While Ball eats his dinner, the coachman might lock up the spaniels and give 'em a little pot-liquor, or bread and milk, or oatmeal and water. Servants think that a dog is never well fed unless he gets scraps of salt beef, pork, etc., whereas these strong victuals are certain destruction; and they should never want water." On another occasion, he orders any dog that refused water to be instantly shot.

nued in the command, when, three or four days afterwards, Honeywood was appointed. Although by no means pleased, he endeavoured to console himself by the consideration that it would save him additional pains and expense; and says: "I may jog on in the easiest position in the army, and sleep and grow fat." Admirals Boscawen and Moyston had sailed from Spithead with twelve sail of the line, and he feared that Boscawen would sweep away a detachment of his best men stationed at Plymouth.

On the 1st of May, Wolfe was on a visit at Freefolk, only fourteen miles from Winchester. Colonel Honeywood 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 sixand-twenty young military men would enliven it. The people in general were civil and obliging. On his return from Blackheath to quarters, towards the end of May, his first business was to look out for a horse for his mother, but the horse he had been recommended 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 detachment there; another at Freefolk, whence he returns to Winchester, where they are going to execute a deserter, "which, though necessary, is a very dismal sight."

On the 20th of June, Mrs. Wolfe is informed that the fleet is more formidable than any England had ever fitted out, and that the army was getting more and more complete. The cost was the worst feature. He urges

the propriety of the General's investing some capital in a little landed estate for her security,-two or three hundred a year. There must be some secure provision for her; his father has his regiment, and he himself has his "trade." He dances incessantly, and mends upon it; his success will encourage him to be more the servant of the ladies. And finally, reverting to public matters, he is going to Portsmouth, to see "the dreadful, though pleasing sight of our mighty navy."

"In

He tells his father, on the 29th, that seven- or eightand-twenty great ships, fully manned with able seamen, lie off Spithead, waiting for news from America. the meanwhile the naval officers eat and drink very comfortably, and entertain their friends in a sumptuous manner." He is going to Portsmouth again; his Royal Highness the Duke is expected; such a military scene is not to be neglected. Has heard favourable reports of Braddock, and the good behaviour of the people under him. There are hopes of success if Baron Dieskau does not arrive in time with succours to stop his progress. "Our affairs in the East Indies," he adds, "are upon the decline. At the expiration of the truce for three months, it is supposed that hostilities will be resumed with as much violence as ever. Our military concerns are under the guidance of a very poor, insignificant officer, and the death of Scott is an irreparable damage to the Indian Army."+

*The French General, Baron de Dieskau, had recently been sent to Canada with 3000 men. In an unsuccessful attack upon General Johnson's camp, near Lake George, on the 8th of September, 1755, he was taken prisoner, mortally wounded.

A suspension of hostilities for three months was agreed upon by

On the Lieutenant-Colonel's return to Winchester after his second visit to Portsmouth, the General is informed that the scene was splendid. The Duke, who was well received, had been remarkably kind to him. He had dined with Lord Anson on board the 'Prince,' and Governor Hawley, as vivacious and spirited as ever, was at his post to receive his Royal Highness.* Wolfe then states that he is going back to Southampton, and, while in the neighbourhood of his Aunt Burcher, he would wait upon her if he knew her direction.

Amidst his professional distractions, the dangerous illness of his mother calls forth an admirable token of

filial piety:

:

Dear Madam,

Lymington, 19th July, 1755.

I wish I could say anything that could comfort you or advise 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 have 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 world 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. Godheu and Mr. Saunders, on the 11th of October, 1754, and on the 26th of December a provisional treaty was signed. The insignificant officer to whom Wolfe alludes was Colonel Aldercron, who, after the death of Colonel Scott, had superior rank in the Royal Army in India, and consequently took precedence of Clive. See Keightley's History of India,' pp. 69, 72.

* The Gentleman's Magazine' gives a vivid account of the Duke's reception at Portsmouth : His Royal Highness was met by the ropemakers of the dockyard, three 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, colours were displayed, and everything to demonstrate the pleasure of the inhabitants in seeing his Royal Highness amongst them." (July, 1755.)