"James Wolfe." Mr. Robertson lent the letters thus disclosed to his friend John Buchanan, Esq., of Glasgow, who first published them, with a biographical sketch, in 'Tait's Magazine' for 1849, and reprinted them in a work of much local interest, but not intended for general circulation, entitled Glasgow, Past and Present.' (1856.) The originals were, in 1862, presented by Mrs. Robertson, through Mr. Buchanan, to the Antiquarian Society of Scotland, in whose museum at Edinburgh they are deposited. These letters exhibit the tone and bent of Wolfe's mind even more fully than do those to his parents. 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 highest opinion, they afford access to their writer's inmost thoughts on matters of public as well as of private interest, and at the same time show the sincerity and warmth of his friendship. The hitherto unpublished correspondence between General Amherst and Wolfe during the siege of Louisbourg, the originals of which were kindly entrusted to me by the Right Hon. Earl Amherst, together with letters written by General Murray, Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Murray, and other officers, still further add to the knowledge of events in which Wolfe was concerned towards the er is life. The collection of Wolfison Turner, likewise abundantly subsequent period. The Bedford Correspond rticulars; and the in er correspondents of 'Notes and Queries,' drew forth additional items of information. It is perhaps but right to mention the circumstances that led me to undertake the "labour of love " of which this book is the issue. During a residence in Canada, some years ago, I became acquainted with a citizen of Quebec who, with much general as well as local knowledge, felt interested in everything appertaining to the Conqueror of Canada; and after several excursions in the neighbourhood I became familiar with the scene "where breathed the gale that caught Wolfe's happiest sigh." Subsequently, in America and at home, I noted whatever fell in my way connected with the subject, and my notes having accumulated, I was induced to seek for further information in old magazines, newspapers, gazettes, military records, etc. At length I found that I had collected materials for a fuller and more accurate account of Wolfe's career than any that had appeared, and the idea of compiling a memoir suggested itself. But thinking it probable that much original matter still remained to be discovered, I began to trace it, and followed the pursuit until, as I fancy, the field was quite gleaned. I have been careful not to write beyond my knowledge, and the few inferences I have drawn, are given as such, to be accepted or rejected at the reader's option. As to the manner in which I have arranged the abundant 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 the following pages that a biography so narrated should be read in a very different spirit from that which ought to guide the reader of an autobiography or a diary, for as these are written with deliberation and reserve, we seldom find the whole truth stated; whereas private letters demand allowance for the impulsive expression of thoughts and opinions which the writer's matured reflection would not always support. Let it then be remembered that, the official dispatches excepted, not a single letter in this volume was penned with the remotest idea of publicity. It may not be needless to explain that in the Index, where, under Wolfe's name, I have grouped together various references, as, for instance, "On Contentment," and such-like subjects, it is not with the idea of setting him up as a philosopher, but merely to show the scope and tendency of his mind. I would likewise. hint that Wolfe ought not to be judged by isolated expressions, but by the general tenor and spirit of his correspondence. It remains only for me 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 particularize all the channels through which I have received contributions; I must therefore content myself by expressing my great obligations, and returning my sincere thanks to the Right Hon. Earl Amherst; the Right Hon. Lord Elibank; the Right Hon. T. Sotheron-Estcourt, M.P.; the Hon. Richard Carleton; the Venerable Archdeacon Wilkins; Sir Frederic Madden; Admiral Warde, K.H.; Mrs. Murray, Roseanna, Athlone; Lady O'Donnell; James Wolfe Murray, Esq.; Edward Hawkins, jun., Esq.; W. C. Streatfeild, Esq., Chart's Edge; Thomas Board, Esq., Westerham; John Buchanan, Esq., Glasgow; Robert Carruthers, Esq., Inverness; Thomas Keightley, Esq., Lesness Heath; Robert Cole, Esq., F.S.A.; G. Moffatt, Esq., M.P.; J. H. Anderdon, Esq,; and John Young, Esq., Blackheath. R. W. March 28, 1864. CONTENTS. Old English families in Ireland.-The Woulfes of Limerick.- Friar Francis and Captain George Woulfe.-Edward Wolfe's early Services.-Mrs. Wolfe's lineage.-Birth of James Wolfe. -Quebec House.-The Village School.-The first Friendship.- Westerham.-Wolfe's Brother.-War with Spain. -Colonel Wolfe removes to Greenwich.-Vernon's Victory.-The young Volunteer. His first Letter from Camp.-His return.-Expe- dition to Carthagena.-Young Wolfe goes back to School.— Page Review on Blackheath.-The Ensign of Duroure's.-Military Cos- tume.-Embarkation for Flanders.-Our Allies.-Ghent.-On the March.-Advantage of Latin.-Illiterate Officers.-Frank- |