d with his kinsman, fearing that, should he seem
refractory, the captain would have ordered him to be shut up in the
castle. Inflamed with the desire of seeing a battle, his relation no
sooner marched off the ground, than he mixed in with another regiment,
to which his former patrons belonged, and proceeded to the field,
where he distinguished himself, even at that early time of life, by his
gallantry, in helping to retrieve a pair of colours belonging to M--n's
regiment; so that, after the affair, he was presented to the duke of
Argyll, and recommended strongly to Brigadier Grant, who invited him
into his regiment, and promised to provide for him with the first
opportunity. But that gentleman in a little time lost his command upon
the duke's disgrace, and the regiment was ordered for Ireland, being
given to Colonel Nassau, whose favour the young volunteer acquired to
such a degree, that he was recommended to the king for his ensigncy,
which in all probability he would have obtained, had not the regiment
been unluckily reduced.

"In consequence of this reduction, which happened in the most severe
season of the year, he was obliged to return to his own country, through
infinite hardships, to which he was exposed from the narrowness of his
circumstances. And continuing still enamoured of a military life, he
entered into the regiment of Scots Greys, at that time commanded by
the late Sir James Campbell, who, being acquainted with his family and
character, encouraged him with a promise of speedy preferment. In this
corps he remained three years, during which he had no opportunity of
seeing actual service, except at the affair of Glensheel; and this
life of insipid quiet must have hung heavy upon a youth of M--'s active
disposition, had not he found exercise for the mind, in reading books
of amusement, history, voyages, and geography, together with those that
treated of the art of war, ancient and modern, for which he contracted
such an eager appetite, that he used to spend sixteen hours a day in
this employment. About that time he became acquainted with a gentleman
of learning and taste, who observing his indefatigable application,
and insatiable thirst after knowledge, took upon himself the charge of
superintending his studies; and, by the direction of such an able guide,
the young soldier converted his attention to a more solid and profitable
course of reading. So inordinate was his desire of making speedy
advances in the