ast
shilling upon anybody who needed it, or who even made a plausible
pretence of needing it. He was rash, impetuous and indiscreet, but the
ranks of the British army held no braver or more loyal heart than his.
In his simple and gentle soul there was no room for envy or guile. He
seems, indeed, to have been in many respects a sort of Irish reflection
of Colonel Newcome; and the parallel even extended to the outward
circumstances attending the close of their respective lives. Colonel
Newcome, when all his worldly possessions had gone from him, retired to
Grey Friars--the Charterhouse--a retreat for "poor and decayed
brethren," when the world seemed to afford no other asylum. There he
passed the remainder of his days, and there he said "Adsum" when his
name was called for the last time in this world. In like manner Colonel
Fitz Gibbon, when all other resources failed him, was able, through the
kindness of Lord Seaton, to obtain a place in an asylum of somewhat
similar character. At Royal Windsor there is an institution which
provides a retreat from the cares and storms of life for a limited
number of depleted old military officers. The members are styled
Military Knights of Windsor, and the abodes provided for them are
situated "within the precincts." Hither, in 1850, when he had entered
upon his seventieth year, the battered old hero of many fights retired
to pass in quiet the evening of an active life. He survived for more
than ten years, during which period he succeeded in obtaining for
himself and his brother knights certain important privileges of which
they had theretofore been deprived.

Though he was not, in the proper sense of the word, a politician, both
his interests and his superabundant loyalty impelled him to the side of
those in power. No one in the Province had less respect for radicals of
the Mackenzie stamp. It was sufficient for him to reflect that the
official party reflected the might and majesty of the Crown of Great
Britain. His whole nature, fostered by his military training, revolted
at the idea of opposition to those in authority. He was moreover
dependent upon the Government for his place in the Adjutant-General's
office, and would naturally espouse the side of his patrons. The Compact
had no more faithful adherent, and by no one were "low radicals" held in
more profound abhorrence. He was roused to a high pitch of fervour by
the trial of the press rioters, who, in his opinion, had acted in the