R. SHIPP.

The military career, traced in the preceding pages, has probably never
been surpassed either in homely, affecting narrative, or in thrilling
scenes of war and strife, by that of any soldier of modern times. That
Shipp did not rise more rapidly to the dizzy heights of a hero's
ambition, in a much shorter time, may reasonably be attributed to the
age in which he served, as well as to the peculiar regulations of our
service, than to any deficiency of fitness, ability, courage, or even
notoriety on his part. In the English army, all the avenues to
preferment are generally so crowded by aspirants of merit and influence,
and so jealously guarded by the legislature, that the best and most
valuable soldiers--men whose services acquire a very early
distinction--scarcely ever rise from the ranks to the elevation which
Shipp twice attained by his gallantry and soldiership. And it was the
consciousness of this fact, and the marked departure from the rigid
rules of the service, in the instance of his individual promotion, that
rendered him so resigned and submissive, under the heavy blow which his
own temerity subsequently inflicted upon him. Had his destiny enabled
him to steer past the siren pleasures that too often interrupt the path
of men possessing power, distinction, and popularity, it is more than
probable that, instead of being permitted to retire without any public
brand of disgrace upon his brow, into the obscurity of a private
station, he would have attained the highest rank in the British army,
and have been conspicuous, like Collingwood, not only for winning
victories more gloriously, but for describing them to his countrymen
more perspicuously than any military man of the age he lived in. It is
not in this little autobiography, written in so terse, agreeable, and
piquant a manner, that the brilliant exploits of Shipp would have been
sought for: the brightness of that page of history which recorded them,
would alone have secured the publicity of his renown. Few ever
possessed, more eminently, all the elements essential to success as a
soldier. Unimpeachable bravery, unwavering perseverance, cool fortitude,
and determined steadiness of purpose, were amongst the most conspicuous
of his attributes; and to these we may add an inexhaustible energy of
mind. Endowments of this nature are not often combined with clearness of
judgment, or with that discretion which cautiously avoids the precipice.
But if Shipp had