ich,
besides increasing his knowledge of the world, brought still nearer
perfection that easy carriage and polished manner which had already
attracted the observation of the court.

While in Germany, he united himself to an expedition of six thousand
troops sent by Charles to the aid of Gustavus Adolphus, and was one of
forty gentlemen's sons forming the body-guard of the Marquis of
Hamilton, who had been commissioned as General in command. He was
present at the first great victory over Tilly near Leipsic, and in other
battles and sieges. How valuable a military experience accrued from this
service we are not informed, but no great amount of it was ever
displayed upon his return to England. When the 'League and Covenant'
ended in open rebellion, Suckling eagerly espoused the royal cause, and
accompanied the King in his expedition against the Scots. It was the
custom for each retainer to fit out his men according to his own taste,
and at his own expense. Sir John arrayed one hundred horsemen in a
gorgeous attire of scarlet and white, to the admiration of the fair sex,
and at the expense of twelve thousand pounds. On arriving in sight of
the enemy, it seems that they resolved not to soil their attire with
such vulgar contact. If they had been told in the early day to follow
their gallant leader, they obeyed the order now; for Sir John was making
excellent good time away from the field, and, as nearly as he could
judge, in the direction of London. This inglorious maneuver was improved
by Sir John Mennes, Rear-Admiral of the Fleet, and the author of
_Musarum Deliciae_, (who never suffered an opportunity of this kind to go
by without blazing away in a lampoon;) and a jaunty song,

'Sir John he got him an ambling nag,
To Scotland for to ride--a!'

became the delight of the town.

Suckling was of slight figure and middle stature, with a face handsome
and full of animation. His fine appearance, due also in part to
excellent taste in dress, made him a universal favorite at court. He was
no doubt as faithful a friend as a volatile disposition would allow; a
fair specimen, in short, of the elegant gentleman of the times. Aubrey
speaks of him as 'incomparable at reparteeing, the bull that was bayted,
his witt beinge most sparkling, when most set on and provoked.' His
expenditures went beyond liberality; they were extravagant. His credit
with the tradesmen soon became worthless. The greater part of his money
was made at gam