k of (and
which I promise you I returned with interest): and it was at the age
of sixteen, I think, that the impudent young hangdog, on my return from
Parliament one summer, and on my proposing to cane him as usual, gave me
to understand that he would submit to no farther chastisement from me,
and said, grinding his teeth, that he would shoot me if I laid hands on
him. I looked at him; he was grown, in fact, to be a tall young man, and
I gave up that necessary part of his education.

It was about this time that I raised the company which was to serve in
America; and my enemies in the country (and since my victory over the
Tiptoffs I scarce need say I had many of them) began to propagate
the most shameful reports regarding my conduct to that precious young
scapegrace my stepson, and to insinuate that I actually wished to get
rid of him. Thus my loyalty to my Sovereign was actually construed into
a horrid unnatural attempt on my part on Bullingdon's life; and it
was said that I had raised the American corps for the sole purpose of
getting the young Viscount to command it, and so of getting rid of him.
I am not sure that they had not fixed upon the name of the very man in
the company who was ordered to despatch him at the first general action,
and the bribe I was to give him for this delicate piece of service.

But the truth is, I was of opinion then (and though the fulfilment of
my prophecy has been delayed, yet I make no doubt it will be brought to
pass ere long), that my Lord Bullingdon needed none of MY aid in sending
him into the other world; but had a happy knack of finding the way
thither himself, which he would be sure to pursue. In truth, he began
upon this way early: of all the violent, daring, disobedient scapegraces
that ever caused an affectionate parent pain, he was certainly the most
incorrigible; there was no beating him, or coaxing him, or taming him.

For instance, with my little son, when his governor brought him into the
room as we were over the bottle after dinner, my Lord would begin his
violent and undutiful sarcasms at me.

'Dear child,' he would say, beginning to caress and fondle him, 'what
a pity it is I am not dead for thy sake! The Lyndons would then have a
worthier representative, and enjoy all the benefit of the illustrious
blood of the Barrys of Barryogue; would they not, Mr. Barry Lyndon?'
He always chose the days when company, or the clergy or gentry of the
neighbourhood, were present,