[corner] THE TALBOT PAPERS 28 
England, being by this time a Major in the 85th foot, and summoned 
to join his regiment. In January, 1796, at the age of twenty-four, 
he became lieutenant-colonel of the 5th foot, a regiment well-known to 
him from its having been stationed at Niagara during his sojourn there. 
During his residence with Simeoe, he held that officer’s confidence 
and affection. He was a member of the governor’s family. Employed 
in several transactions of a diplomatic character, requiring tact, alert- 
ness and dispatch, he acquitted himself to Simcoe’s entire satisfaction. 
These included visits to Philadelphia and Detroit and attendance at 
two important Indian councils on the Miami. On his first visit to 
Detroit as a member of Simcoe’s staff in February, 1793, he found men 
of his regiment, the 24th, in garrison. Mrs. Simcoe’s Journal shows 
Falbot’s social qualities in an agreeable light. Bright, handsome, cap- 
able, eager to help, ready to put his hand to any work needed, he was 
indispensable at picnics and parties. Altogether, he was a young man 
of more than ordinary promise, and when he went back to England 
and to active service with a strong letter of recommendation from 
Simcoe, a brilliant future was predicted for him by many, in his chosen 
career. 
V. ACTIVE SERVICE IN EUROPE — THE HERMIT OF LAKE ERIE. 
These high hopes were not destined to be realized. He took part 
in the Duke of York’s ill-fated expedition to the Low Countries, and 
performed garrison duty at Gibraltar for a time. But he won no 
special distinction. A circumstance affecting his military character 
during this period, which has come down to us is that, in Flanders, 
he was mildly censured by the Duke for disobedience of orders in lead- 
ing his men by a sheltered route instead of taking the more exposed 
road he was directed to follow. Towards the end of 1800 military 
operations were seen to be practically at an end. The Peace of Lune- 
ville in 1801 and the Treaty of Amiens in 1802 formally closed them. 
On Christmas Day, 1800, Talbot sold his commission, and immediately 
after withdrew from the army. The announcement startled society 
and became a nine days’ wonder. He had resolved to emigrate to the 
wilderness of Upper Canada, and to open up a large region on the 
north shore of Lake Erie for settlement. 
For this change of plan, many reasons have been suggested, chiefly 
of a romantic nature. He had been disappointed in love — but rumour 
could not agree as to the fair object of his affections. One of the 
King’s daughters, it was said, had fallen in love with him; but mar- 
riage with a commoner was out of the question. He disliked military 
service, for which he was by temperament unfitted; and there was, 
