all the family were seated round a table at work,
their usual evening's employment.

On entering the room, the father, addressing himself to the domestic
circle assembled, said in a jocular manner, "Mrs. H. and children,
permit me to introduce to your acquaintance Ensign John Shipp, Esq., of
the Horse Marines--I mean His Majesty's Own Irish Regiment of Foot." I
made a bow worthy of his Majesty's commission and of the corps to which
I was appointed; but this profound obeisance only set the young ones
tittering, and one of them, the youngest, had the impudence to point
the finger of derision at me, saying, "He an ensign! so is my cat,"
which cat she immediately paraded on the table on his two hinder
extremities, calling him "Ensign Shipp." After this I seated myself
close to my little intended, and whispered the whole truth into her ear;
but, instead of evincing the joy which I expected, she turned pale and
gloomy. I inquired the cause. She was humble as she was good, and she
replied, "I am sorry for it; for I suppose you will not condescend to
look upon a poor conductor's daughter." Here the ensign's ire was again
roused to a pitch far beyond that of a sergeant-major, and I said, "What
the devil (I could not help the warm expression) do you all take me
for?--man or beast? No, Ann; have a better opinion of me." I then
extended my hand towards her, and pledged the honour of an ensign that
it was hers, and hers only. She seized my hand and bathed it with her
tears. I then directed the conversation into a new channel, by turning
my indignation on the little one who had metamorphosed the cat into an
ensign; but, as I bethought myself that I really had seen less sagacious
animals bearing that commission, I kissed her for her impudence, and
forgave her.

The following day I had my hair cut _a la ensign_, and ordered a new
suit of regimentals; and the third day I dined at the mess of my old
corps, to which I had a general invitation during the time I remained at
the station. I received the most marked kindness from the regiment on my
promotion. Invitation followed upon invitation, so that it took up
nearly the whole of the ensign's time to make and write excuses; the
officers vied with each other in politeness and liberality; and I shall
ever remember the generosity of the late 24th regiment with feelings of
gratitude.

Having arranged my affairs, I left Cawnpore for Dinapore, on the 1st day
of January, 1816, having first con