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[Page 238]

power of sentiments ill expressed, and words miscon-
ceived.

Immediately on joining my Regiment last Month
I wrote you a short letter by the Packet which then sailed
and a few days since I forwarded another to you of a
similar description, but enclosing one of considerable length
to my dear Mother, by His Majesty's Ship Leyden –
By the same opportunity I sent letters to the Duke of
Northumberland, and Mr. Brogden. They were all writ-
ten at our Camp near the Faro Point and had been
laying by me some time when Captain Nicolson
of the Marines gave me the first intelligence of the
Leyden's returning Home and at the same time ac-
quainted me that she was then getting under way.
I immediately went on board with him, and
gave the letters to the Purser of the Ship, an acquain-
tance of his with whom he assured me they would be
perfectly safe, but I was sorry that I did so for on returning
to the shore I met a Capt Mitchell of the Marines going
Home in the Leyden, who was acquainted with you &
my dear Mother – He was in N.S. Wales in the Glatton –

Having been since informed that the Leyden
does not go direct to England, and being desirous that the
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Mediterranean if we have not passed the Gut. My Room looks towards
the Faro Point, and the rising sun. I am always up washing my head
& feet in cold water before he rises, and therefore can always enjoy
the beautiful prospect of his ascending from behind the Hill of Calabria

My Finances are in a floundering State I have about six pounds
in hand, and have Twenty to receive, I shall want no money before –
and none for a long time after Christmas, and I therefore beg that what-
-ever you have appropriated for my use may help to defray the expense
[of] James & William's Education. Withdraw, my dear Father the hand
which has been so bountiful to me, I will battle the way for myself. You
have many other calls for your attention, withdraw that also from
me; and if Fortune will only favour me I hope to be enabled to come
up with a reinforcement to your assistance. I like the Regiment
& I think they do not dislike me. The Colonel is an obliging good
natured Man. We have an excellent Mess. The entrance Fees are
Five Guineas (– I have paid them), and the Mess Man's terms are 13s/ a
week for our dinners, and the wine bill is 8d. per day. In my next
letter I shall give you an account of my studies – I can get an
abundance of French Books – In the Point I nearly completed a Trans-
lation of the French Maxims, I will finish it. I am very well, and
have no single uneasiness, but what comes from the idea of your being
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