officer, of whom I feel so proud, is an
old pupil of mine, and received his education at my feet. I consequently
feel a more than usual interest in him. But come, we lose-time. It is
now past two o'clock, and, if I don't mistake, there's a bit of cold
ham and chicken to be had, and my walk has prepared me for lunch, as it
usually does, and besides, Martha, there's an old friend of mine, his
father, waiting for our return, to whom I must introduce you both,
ladies, as a sample of the fine old soldier, who is a capital version of
human nature."

On reaching the cottage they found our worthy friend, old Sam Roberts,
in the garden, throwing crumbs of bread to a busy little flock of
sparrows, behind one of the back windows that opened into it. His honest
but manly face was lit up with all the eager and boisterous enjoyment
of a child whilst observing with simple delight the fierce and angry
quarrels of the parents, as they fought on behalf of their young, for
the good things so providentially cast in their way.

"Come, now," said Sam, "I'm commissary-general for this day, and, for a
miracle, an honest one--fight fair, you wretches--but I don't wonder at
the spunk you show, for the rations, I can tell you, are better, poor
things, than you are accustomed to. Hello, there! you, sir--you big
fellow--you hulk of a cock--what business have you here? This is a
quarrel among the ladies, sirrah, who are mothers, and it is for their
young ones--on behalf of their children--they are showing fight; and
you, sir, you overgrown glutton, are stuffing yourself, like many
another 'foul bird' before you, with the public property. Shame, you
little vulture! Don't you see they fly away when they have gotten' an
allowance, and give it to their starving children? D---- your principle,
sir, it's a bad one. You think the strongest ought to take most, do you?
Bravo! Well done, my little woman. Go on, you have right and nature
on your side--that's it, peck the glutton--he's a rascal--a public
officer--a commissary-general that--lay on him--well done--never mind
military discipline--he's none of your officer--he's a robber--a
bandit--and neither a soldier nor a gentleman--by fife and drum, that's
well done. But it's all nature--all the heart of man."

"Well, old friend," said he, "and so this is your good lady. How do you
do, ma'am? By fife and drum, Mr. Mainwaring, but it's a good match. You
were made for one another. And this young lady your dau