550 The United Service Smoke-shop: a Winter Sketch. [MAY, 



claim its protection. But the question, although often mooted, has never 

 been fairly met by any government : whether the half-pay of officers of 

 the navy and army is to be considered as a remunerating pension for pasl, 

 or a retaining-fee for future services ? Even Mr. Canning, when pushed 

 on the subject some years since, shuffled out of the debate, in a manner 

 equally discreditable to his abilities and to his principles. 



Lt. Col. Towlter. Had he any ? 



Beau Ben. Pardon me, Cleverty ; the question was decided in one 

 case, that the half-pay of officers of the ARMY and NAVY was bond t fide a 

 remuneration for past services. The occasion I allude to was that of 

 Lord William Beauclerc, afterwards Duke of St. Albans, who was a lieu- 

 tenant in our service on half-pay; and his claim to which he fully 

 established (when declining to be again employed) on the principle I 

 state, and against the powerful opposition of the Great Lord. 



Major Claymore. I was sorry to read in the new regulations respect- 

 ing claims on the Compassionate List, a string of difficulties presented 

 which almost amount to exclusion ; it is, I take it, a cruel experiment 

 on the loyalty and attachment of the poor officer to throw so many im- 

 pediments in the way of the orphans' relief after the parent has resigned 

 his breath on the field of battle ; or perished more ingloriously in the 

 obscurity of private life, worn out with honourable toils, a prey to dis- 

 tress, disappointment, and neglect ! 



Lt. Col. Towlter. I have read the " MEMORANDUM" from the War 

 Office, which you allude to, with disgust. I begin to hate the word 

 " Memorandum" latterly, for it always ushers in some contemptible clip- 

 ping and paring down of the veteran's comforts. 



Capt. Cleverty. Ay ! and economy begins at the wrong end. If one- 

 twentieth part of the enormous salaries, pensions, and allowances, granted 

 to military men holding high official situations, CIVIL as well as MILI- 

 TARY, were appropriated (if every third year only) to the COMPAS- 

 SIONATE FUND, hundreds of destitute orphans, either in helpless infancy, 

 or interesting, yet suffering youth, might annually be rescued from per- 

 dition. 



Major Claymore. I agree with you that the example ought to begin 

 with the great military functionaries and public departments ; and be fol- 

 lowed by the colonels of regiments and governors of forts and garrisons; 

 not nominally and to a miserable amount (as at present), but virtually 

 and largely too. When military men draw so much from the public 

 purse, they should freely give, as they freely receive ; but I am aware 

 this would be deemed an unpalatable doctrine in certain high quarters. 



Lt. Col. Torvlter. Yes; but why shut out poor devils on half-pay (I 

 beg your pardon, brother HALVES !) from even a smell of the civil 

 kitchens ? There is an individual, whose name I see in the Red Book 

 as enjoying the following good things : 

 Retired Colonel of Artillery ! 

 Aide-de-carnp to the King ! 

 Lieut. Governor of Hull ! 



Commissioner of Hackney Coaches, Pedlar and Hawkers' 

 Licences, &c. &c. &c. 



Mr. President, I have not had a drop in my tumbler this last quarter of 

 an hour. The clock has struck ten, and we seem all ready for the rein- 

 forcement. 



