ing party of
the Royal Artillery, who had already enlisted several likely-looking
fellows. The pretty little well-dressed fifer was the principal object
of my notice. His finery and shrill music were of themselves sufficient
attractions to my youthful fancy; but what occupied my thoughts more
than either of these was the size of this musical warrior, whose height
very little exceeded that of the drum by which he stood. "Surely,"
thought I to myself, sidling up to him, "I must be myself as tall, if
not taller, than this little blade, and should make as good a soldier!"
Reflections of this nature were crowding thick into my mind when the
portly sergeant, addressing his words to the gaping rustics by whom he
was surrounded, but directing his eyes to the bed-room windows in the
vicinity of his station, commenced a right royal speech. I swallowed
every word spoken by the royal sergeant, with as much avidity as the
drum-major's wife would her morning libation. It was all about
"gentlemen soldiers," "merry life," "muskets rattling," "cannons
roaring," "drums beating," "colours flying," "regiments charging," and
shouts of "victory! victory!" On hearing these last words, the rustic
bumpkins who had enlisted exposed their flowing locks, and with their
tattered hats gave three cheers to "the king--God bless him." In this I
most heartily joined, to the no small amusement of the assembled
multitude. "Victory!" seemed still to ring in my ears, and the sound
inspired my little heart with such enthusiasm, that it was not until
some minutes after the rest had left off cheering, that I became
conscious, from the merriment around me, that I still held my tiny hat
elevated in the air, waiting for a repetition of that spirit-stirring
word. Finding myself observed, I adjusted my hat with a knowing air,
elevated my beardless chin with as much consequence as I could assume,
and, raising myself on tiptoe, to appear as tall as possible, I strutted
up to the sergeant, and asked him, in plain words, if he would "take I
for a sodger?" The sergeant smiled, and patted my head in so
condescending a manner, that I thought I might venture to take the same
liberty with the head of the drum; but in this I was mistaken, for I had
no sooner touched it than I received from the drummer a pretty sharp rap
on the knuckles for my presumption: his drum-head was as sacred to him
as the apple of his eye. I again mounted on tiptoe and urged my
question, "Will you lik